Kimchi has remained a staple in South Korea for more than three thousand years. It is also increasingly popular around the globe as more people are trying to reap the health benefits the dish has to offer.
Fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut boast various nutritional benefits, primarily supporting gut health. Adding more kimchi to your diet is an excellent and delicious way to keep your digestive system in check. Plus, it is naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly, allowing it to accommodate multiple dietary restrictions.
The Daily Pot has jars of kimchi available at our Bergen location for customers to take home. There are various ways to incorporate the fermented dish into your diet.
In this blog post, we will review where kimchi originates from and its health benefits. In addition, we will also provide a few suggestions for how to pair the fermented dish with your food.
What Is Kimchi & Where Did It Originate From?
The popular Korean superfood is made with fermented cabbage. The term “kimchi” translates to “fermented vegetables.”
Health Benefits Of Eating Kimchi
Kimchi Is A Rich Source Of Probiotics
Kimchi contains significant contents of probiotics, healthy bacteria renowned for improving overall gut health. This unique bacterium is beneficial to improving a person’s skin, limiting the risk of illnesses, and regulating the digestive tract.
Kimchi May Reduce Inflammation & Slow Down Aging
The fermented dish contains anti-inflammatory properties due to its content of lactobacillus bacterium. It has exceptional positive effects on a person’s gut health while simultaneously reducing inflammation. Furthermore, these properties can lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease.
Kimchi Contains Immune-Boosting Antioxidants
Kimchi boasts an outstanding nutritional profile. It features several immune-boosting antioxidants, including folate, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Although, the list may grow even longer depending on what other vegetables are in your kimchi. Many of these antioxidants can limit the risk of sickness, especially against the common cold or flu. Thus, it is a great idea to add more kimchi to your diet during the winter months since that is one of the easiest times to catch a nasty cold.
How To Pair Kimchi With Your Food
Kimchi makes for a tasty yet nutritious side dish or entrée. Although, this fermented treat can be incorporated in a myriad of recipes. Below are some ideas for how you can pair kimchi with your food:
As A Topping For Soups Or Bowls – The spicy flavors of kimchi pair perfectly with freshly made white rice or grains. You can add tofu, meat, or a fried egg to your bowl for additional protein.
Add Kimchi To Your Potatoes – Shockingly, kimchi tastes incredible when paired with potatoes. We particularly enjoy adding it as a topping to homemade French fries or roasted potatoes with veggies.
Serve On Its Own – As we mentioned earlier, kimchi tastes great as a stand-alone meal or side dish. Thus, you can simply enjoy all the health benefits this fermented food has to offer by eating it on its own.
Use Kimchi To Make Stew – It makes a superb addition to stews or soups since kimchi provides additional flavors, nutrients, and texture. Various traditional Korean stew recipes feature the fermented dish.