Bokashi fermentation

Bokashi Fermentation

Creating Your Own Fermentation Process

Bokashi composting is a method of fermenting or pickling food waste that originated in Japan. This system allows us to compost food waste that we usually wouldn't be able to, such as meat, dairy and cooked food.

In bokashi fermentation, a layer of bran is used to cover the food waste, which is then kept in an air-tight container with a drainage tap.

This bran contains all the yeasts and bacteria necessary for fermentation.

Managing Your Bokashi Fermentation

Once you've filled your bucket, remembering to add a layer of bran each time you add more food, it's time to leave your container to ferment for two weeks.

It's a good idea to have two buckets, so that you can fill your second while the first is in the fermentation stage.

After two weeks, your ferment will be ready to go on the compost heap or to be buried in the ground. Bokashi compost is considered pre-digested, so the finished ferment is not ready to be used as compost just yet.

Adding it to your compost heap is great if you want to speed up the decomposition of your heap. The heap will heat up as decomposition speeds up, the warmth will also aid in speedy decomposition, this feedback loop creates a snowball effect.

Alternatively, dig the ferment into a hole in your garden and it'll be ready to plant up within two weeks.

In Summary

Bokashi fermentation is a great way of closing the loop and making sure our food waste doesn't end up in landfill. Bran and buckets are readily available online, and you can even make your own bran – but beware, it is quite a lengthy process.

Things to Watch Out For:

• Your ferment won't be entirely odourless, and should have a pickle smell when you remove the lid.
• If it smells putrid, then something has gone wrong and you should start the process again.
• Make sure to drain the liquid regularly. This can be used as plant feed or as a deodoriser to clean drains.

There are many different Bokashi options, but the bucket I use is called the 'Shaza Bokashi Organko Set, 2x 16L' and is available here: https://www.originalorganics.co.uk/composting/bokashi.