The word “fermentation” may sound like something you hear during a chemistry class, but it is actually one of the oldest and most natural food preserving methods—and, at the same time, it brings out more flavor, nutrition and character. In Sezóna Restaurant, fermentation is part of our culinary philosophy. And guess what: it is a true magic.

What is fermentation?

Fermentation is a process in which microorganisms – most commonly bacteria and yeast – convert sugars into other substances such as acids, gases, or alcohol. It sounds scientific, but in practice it means for example the following:

• ordinary cabbage becomes crispy sauerkraut
• milk becomes yogurt or kefir
• dough becomes fluffy sourdough bread
• and apples become a fragrant vinegar elixir

Why do we in Sezóna Restaurant ferment?

For us, fermentation is not just trendy. It is a way to:

1. Bring out the natural flavor of ingredients. Fermented food have a complex, rich flavor: sweet and sour, slightly spicy, umami. The dishes are thus provided with a depth that cannot be replaced by common seasonings.
2. Make the most of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Instead of throwing away what we can't consume right away, we ferment it. This extends the shelf life of vegetables, fruit and herbs, and we use every part of the ingredient – being thus in line with the “zero-waste” spirit.
3. Support our guests’ health. Fermented foods are natural probiotics that promote digestion, immunity and overall vitality. And a healthy guest = a happy guest.
4. Create original recipes. We ferment to prepare our own vinegars, sauces, syrups and drinks in the kitchen. This gives our food a slightly different taste, which will always be authentic.

How can you recognize fermentation on your plate?

You may not even realize that you've already tried one of our fermented delicacies. How about, for example:

• Root vegetable pickles
• Our spicy kimchi
• Our own sriracha made from fermented peppers and apples
• Pickled wild garlic (which our staff pick right in the forest)

With every dish, we think how to make it to be local, seasonal and surprising at the same time—and fermentation is one of our secret weapons.

Fermentation as a come-back to nature

Fermentation is a beautiful combination of traditional methods and modern cuisine. It teaches us patience, respect for ingredients and shows us the way to discover new flavors. And that's exactly what we in Sezóna Restaurant love – when food tells a story.

Would you like to taste fermentation in practice? Come and try our special seasonal tasting menu or follow us on Instagram, where you can occasionally take a look behind the scenes of our experiments.