Fermentation as Metaphor

By: Sandor Ellix Katz

Narrated by: Sandor Katz

In 2012, Sandor Ellix Katz published The Art of Fermentation, which quickly became the bible for foodies around the world, a runaway best seller, and a James Beard Book Award winner. Since then, his work has gone on to inspire countless professionals and home cooks worldwide, bringing fermentation into the mainstream.

In Fermentation as Metaphor, stemming from his personal obsession with all things fermented, Katz meditates on his art and work, drawing connections between microbial communities and aspects of human culture: politics, religion, social and cultural movements, art, music, sexuality, identity, and even our individual thoughts and feelings. He informs his arguments with his vast knowledge of the fermentation process, which he describes as a slow, gentle, steady, yet unstoppable force for change.

Throughout this truly one-of-a-kind book, Katz showcases 50 mesmerizing, original images of otherworldly beings from an unseen universe - images of fermented foods and beverages that he has photographed using both a stereoscope and electron microscope - exalting microbial life from the level of “germs” to that of high art. When you see the raw beauty and complexity of microbial structures, Katz says, they will take you “far from absolute boundaries and rigid categories. They force us to reconceptualize. They make us ferment”.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Sandor Ellix Katz (P)2020 Chelsea Green Publishing

Amazing short but deep book.

As a fermenter and meditator I have often contemplated what fermentation is. Hearing Sandor's point of view is extremely valuable and I am grateful for his work. Well done!

Just barely fermentation related if at all

I'm thoroughly disappointed by this book. I'll look for a refund after I'm done writing this review.

I LOVED Wild fermentation and was excited to see more from Sandor Katz. This was not more of the same.
This book uses the facade of one's passion for fermented foods and shoe horns political and social justice issues by very thin metaphor.

I don't know by which hoops one jumps to join their socio philosophical beliefs and food preservation.