what should rejuvelac smell like???

[laurabfig]

Just finished making my first batch...the taste was a pleasant surprise because I really couldn't stand the smell. It was a wierd yeast-y, wheat-y, yuck smell. I don't think it got too hot while fermenting. I made almost a gallon and then put the wheatberries in the compost cause I couldn't fathom using more than that.

I tried putting agave in it and convincing my 4 year old that it was fizzy "soda", but she said "yucky smell, mama" and wouldn't even try it! :)

I could stomach the taste and I like the little bit of fizz that it had, but can't imagine drinking this on a daily basis like ann wigmore recommends in her books!!!

[Stina]

Yep, it stinks. Does anyone know if Rejuvelac has a little bit of alcohol in it?

[laurabfig]

I've never read about it having alcohol.

I'm glad to know that it is supposed to smell like that. Well, not really. I wish it smelled wonderful so i would want to drink it!

[Lay-Lay]

yeah it smells like that. I make it alot and no it doesn't have alcohol in it. If you were to put honey in it and allow it to sit up for a few extra days then you would have alcohol.

[laurabfig]

I just keep thinking...who decided to DRINK this at some point in history? :D

[bootzey]

can you make this with something other than wheat berries?

[Stina]

Yeah, you can sprout anything and do a different version of it. I'd highly recommend Sally Falon's book Nourishing Traditions for fermention projects. I really believe fermentation is a vital part of good nutrition. Not that I'm currently fermenting. I'm popping probiotic pills.......

[Sharon in Colorado]

Early in my raw days I tried it and it tasted like cheese soda to me. It isn't for me.

Yes, there are trace amounts of naturally occuring alcohol that developed from the fermentation. But we are not talking about beer or wine, just a very small percentage. You'd probably have to drink a whole gallon of the stuff at one time to feel a little light-headed.

[Stina]

I'd drink a big glass of that cheese soda and get flushed in the face and feel giddy. Hop on board the Enzyme Express!

[NoGMO!]

How do you tell the difference between the right bad smell and the bad-bad smell? :rolleyes:

[R4L]

If it smells unpleasant, it's bad! It should not smell offensive. Three Things: 1. Don't make it too concentrated (no need) - 1 cup of dry wheat does 4 litres for me. 2. You must have a sterile technique.. like an operating surgery. Rinse all impliments with boiling water (or food grade sodium hypochlorite solution, or hydrogen peroxide solution). 3. Do not let the wheat sprout for too long - as oon as it shows shoots, it's ready. The reason for this is that there is a greater likelihood of there being an "off" seed if they have been left longer.

Interestingly, The Hippocrates Institute has stopped recommending rejuvelac because of the "possibility" of bad bacteria. I believe this is because people were using faulty techniques, and they want to protect themselve against liability.

My Method:
1. Soak cup of wheat about 8 hrs. (sterile jar)
2. Rinse and sprout until just shooting (about a day)
3. Put well rinsed sprouts in a blender (sterile) (1 or 2 litres of filtered water)
4. Transfer to a big ceramic container (sterile) with water to make up 4 litres, and stir (sterile ladel).

I sample it when I strain off the first jug full.. if it doesn't smell lovely, I tip it out.. the whole lot.

[Stina]

So you blend it, huh? I didn't do that before. Why, may I ask? Is it helpful in some way?
Thanks for the reminder about how important it is to have a sterile operation. With all the kitty and doggy fur floating around my place.....

[laurabfig]

I MIGHT try it again. I think mine was definitely bad and WAY too strong.
I'm interested in the blending question too...

[Stina]

And can you narrow down "smell lovely?" Would that exclude stinky feet?

[spicyfull]

After it has fermentated I pour it off the berries into another container where I drink off it daily.

You can add Lemon Juice and Agave and make Lemon Fizz.......

Also if you hold your breath while drinking Anything, you won't smell it.

[R4L]

Don't ignore odour (of anything)... that's our bodies warning system. It's easy to tell if it smells right... snif then ask "does that smell offend me?". If the answer is yes, pour it out. If no, bottle it and put it in the fridge. Don't forget it doesn't last forever...(I wont drink it if it's over a week old).

Blending? Blending is just a method I came across through trial and error. Other methods work, but blending is really easy.