🍂 The Magic of Transformation

Autumn, fermentation, and the beautiful things that happen when we slow down…

There is something magical about autumn: the abundance of summer begins to change, the leaves turn, the days become shorter, gardens give us their last harvests, and nature starts preparing for a different season. And this is exactly what I love about fermentation.

Fermentation is transformation, we take something fresh and alive — cabbage, vegetables, fruit, tea, grains — and we allow microorganisms to work their magic. What emerges can be completely different. Cabbage becomes sauerkraut. Cucumbers become pickles. Tea becomes kombucha. A sweet drink becomes water kefir. Flour becomes sourdough.

And perhaps one of the most wonderful things about fermentation is that we don't completely control the process. We create the right conditions, we pay attention, and then we allow the microbes to do what they do best. There is something quite humbling about that.

🫙 Fermentation is a relationship

The more I learn about fermentation, the more fascinated I become by the relationship between us, our food and the microbial world around us. Our digestive system is home to an enormous community of microorganisms, and the food we eat interacts with this ecosystem every day.

Fermented foods have been made by cultures all over the world for thousands of years — not because anyone had heard of the microbiome, but because people discovered that fermentation could preserve food, create incredible flavours and transform simple ingredients into something quite extraordinary. Today, we are beginning to understand more about the complex relationship between food, microbes and our wellbeing.

But for me, fermentation isn't about chasing the latest health trend, it is much simpler than that, it is about eating real food, making something yourself, using what is in season, reducing waste, trying something new, and enjoying the process. Sometimes, the best things happen when we simply give nature a little time and space to work.

🥬 Come and ferment with me this autumn

If you've ever looked at a jar of sauerkraut or a bottle of water kefir and thought:

“I'd love to make that myself… but I wouldn't know where to start!”

That's exactly why I run my fermentation workshops.

My workshops are relaxed, practical and very hands-on. We'll explore the fascinating world of fermentation, taste different ferments and, most importantly, actually get fermenting!

We'll talk about:

🌱 Gut health and the microbiome🥕 Lacto-fermentation🥬 Sauerkraut and kimchi🫧 Water kefir and other fermented drinks🌿 Seasonal ingredients♻️ Reducing food waste through fermentation🫙 How to ferment safely and successfully at home - and you'll get to make something yourself to take home.

🍁 Upcoming workshops

I have some lovely autumn and festive sessions coming up, as well as my Fermentation Journey sessions for well-being starting 7th of October! It's a three week programme covering Kraut and Kimchi, Fermented drinks, Sourdough and Miso. But sessions can also be booked individually should that be a better fit for your schedule.

If you've been thinking about dipping your toe, so to speak, into the world of fermentation, then now is a great time to join me. Places are limited, so if one of these dates is calling you, don't leave it until December!

I'll be hoping that anyone who joins me will leave the session or sessions with enough confidence to consider taking part in something very exciting that I - with many others around the world - will be launching over the next few months…

🏴 Something very exciting is coming to Wales…

🌍 World Ferment Day — 1 February 2027

I am incredibly excited to share that I will be helping to bring World Ferment Day to Wales as the World Ferment Day Ambassador for Wales.

World Ferment Day takes place on 1 February 2027, with this year's wonderful invitation: “Have you got the guts?”

It is a celebration of fermented foods and drinks from around the world — and of the ways fermentation connects food, people, culture and the natural world.

But I don't want this to be just one day, I want to start putting the ball rolling before the big day itself - together! I'd love Wales to be part of that...

🫙 The Wales Fermentation Challenge

Can we get Wales fermenting?

On the last weekend of January, leading to World Ferment Day on 1st of February 2027, I'm inviting people across Wales to take part in a very simple challenge.

Choose a ferment.

Make it.

Eat it.

Share it.

It could be:

🥬 Sauerkraut🌶️ Kimchi🥕 Fermented vegetables🫧 Water kefir🍵 Kombucha🍞 Sourdough🥛 Kefir🫘 Miso🍎 Or something completely different!

You don't need to be an experienced fermenter. In fact, I'd particularly love complete beginners to join in.

The idea is to see just how many people across Wales we can inspire to discover the joy of fermentation.

I'll be keeping track of the number of people taking part, and I'm hoping that by the

1st February 2027 we'll have a wonderful picture of fermentation happening right across Wales.

Would you like to be part of it?

I'll be sharing more details very soon, including how you can register your ferment and become part of the Wales Fermentation Challenge.

And if you'd like to get involved in organising a local event for World Ferment Day, I'd love to hear from you too.

World Ferment Day is about encouraging people to host events, share their fermentation stories and regional recipes, and connect with other fermenters around the world.

So perhaps we'll see a few Welsh fermentation gatherings popping up in villages, community halls, kitchens and gardens next February… I'd absolutely love that.

💚 Let's make fermentation a little less mysterious

One of the things I love most about teaching fermentation is seeing someone's face when they realise:

“Oh… I can actually do this!”

You don't need a special kitchen. You don't need lots of expensive equipment or ingredients. And you certainly don't need to be an expert.

You just need a few simple ingredients, a jar, a little knowledge — and the willingness to let nature do some of the work. That's what I hope my workshops give you: confidence to experiment.

And once you've made your first successful ferment, I'm certain that you will start looking at your kitchen — and your vegetables — in a completely different way.

🍂 Come and ferment with me

If you'd like to learn more, come along to one of my upcoming workshops, join my fermentation community, or keep an eye out for the Wales Fermentation Challenge.

There is lots happening over the next few months — and I'd love you to be part of it.

Let's get Wales fermenting! 🫙🏴

The Fermentation Club at Bacareto: Autumn Season

Our 6th gathering will be on Wednesday, 28th of October. After our last get-together, a deep dive into Kombucha, to celebrate a year of the Fermentation Club at Bacareto, we will be gathering on the Hot autumn topic of fermented chillis; in particular hot sauces!

Special guest  Rikki Tooley, founder of Easton Chilli (based in Bristol), will take us through making full flavour chilli condiments using a wide range of techniques, including lacto-fermentation. There will be plenty of samples to taste too. The aim is that you leave confident and ready to make your own. Book your ticket soon as space is limited.

Upcoming Markets

Our Calendar:

• Roath Market: 2nd Saturday of the Month.

• Usk Market: 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month; back in November.

• Porthcawl Market: 2nd Sunday of the Month; back in November

• Kenfig Market: 3rd Sunday of the Month.

Festivals!

Newport Food Festival (Oct 3rd)

Gluten Free Festival Cardiff, Depot (Nov 8th) SOLD OUT

The Vegan Christmas Market Cardiff, Angel Hotel (Nov 30th)

Absorb Water Kefir Stockists

Our products can be found throughout South Wales and in Bristol and Bath. We carefully select our stockists, collaborating with independent, ethos-aligned outlets that share our values—please support them whenever possible.

Absorb Product News for 2026

• Our shrub (a syrup-sweetened apple cider vinegar - with the mother - used as a mixer) has recently undergone testing and is being refined for acidity by Zerotofive, Cardiff Food Center. This syrup is crafted from the by-products of our Blackcurrant & Hibiscus and Ginger & Lemon products. We aim to launch it around Christmas time!

• Gift vouchers are available to redeem against a Fermentation Workshop and a complementary bottle of Kefir on the chosen day - £30.

  
  

Helpers and Volunteers:

We are always looking for helpers and volunteers for our workshops and markets, particularly if you are in the Bridgend, Pencoed, and Pontyclun areas. Please contact Laure at 07515493402.

Promoting Wellness and Bringing Communities Together

Our mission is to share the wonders of fermentation with as many people as possible. This age-old practice is not only nourishing but also an excellent means of uniting communities. If you know individuals, groups, or organizations interested in fermentation, we would be thrilled to connect with them. We provide engaging talks, interactive demonstrations, inspiring workshops, and, naturally, delicious tastings! Whether it's for a community group, workplace wellness event, or local gathering, we are committed to making fermentation both enjoyable and accessible.

Also from September on, I am able to offer 1:1 gut health and fermentation coaching at our new premises in Brynna or on-line. Please get in touch if interested.

Let’s spread the joy of fermentation—together. Click here to get a glimpse!

Drinking Water Kefir for Better Health

If you want to enjoy our Water Kefir regularly for health benefits, there are two cost-effective options you can choose from.

• Enrol in our monthly subscription program by completing this document and sending it to us via email at absorbhealth@outlook.com. *A rolling subscription is also available should that be more to your liking; contact us to chat.

• Discover how to make it yourself by joining one of our workshops or talks, or we can sell you some grains, provide a recipe, and teach you everything you need to know!

  
  

We deliver all around Cardiff and the surrounding area—and further afield too!

Grouped Deliveries Outside of Cardiff

We have two separate delivery runs each month that go East of Cardiff one week and West of Cardiff the next. Please get in touch if you live in or around the areas detailed below and want a Water Kefir delivery:

• Gower, Mumbles, Swansea, Swansea Valleys, Pontardawe, and Ystradgynlais: Next runs are Thursday 08.10.26 & 5.11.26

• Newport, Monmouthshire, and Bristol: Thursday 22.10.26 & 19.11.26

  
  

Give Us a Review!

If you have a passion for our products or have participated in one of our workshops, we would greatly appreciate it if you could write a review here . Your feedback helps us share the advantages of drinking Water Kefir and exploring fermented foods and beverages!

Water Kefir Flavour of the Month

We will bring our Festive flavour again in October: Spiced Apple and Blackberry

Do your bit for the environment and remember to return your empty bottles and sauerkraut jars—reusing is much better than recycling!

Happy Autumn season! Thank you for following Absorb!

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  The full range of Absorb Water kefir

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  Tagged water kefir at markets

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  Fermentation Talks, workshops and club

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  Sauerkraut range

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  Tasting at events