My garlic-dill carrot ferment exploded with bubbles

So I got some fresh carrots from the farm stand and thought I'd try fermenting them. I chopped them up, added crushed garlic and dill, then packed them tight in a jar with brine. Left it on my kitchen counter like the guide said. Next thing I know, when I peeked, the lid was bulging and bubbles were everywhere. I quickly opened it to release pressure, and it hissed like soda. The aroma was tangy and sharp, not bad but intense. I'm wondering if this is normal or if I added too much stuff. What's your take on fizzy ferments? Should I be worried?

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3 Comments

casey_ramirez356mo ago

Exploding bubbles might look bad, but it's probably fine. Ferments often get super fizzy when they're really active, idk. Maybe it's just me but I'd try it before worrying too much.

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chen.jamie6mo ago

Saw mold once, changed my mind.

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haydenjackson6mo ago

Honestly, read something similar from a friend who does canning. She said ferments with extra sugars from fresh veggies, like carrots, can get real fizzy fast because the bacteria are super active. That hissing is just built-up carbon dioxide, same as in soda. Her trick was to loosen the lid a tiny bit each day to let gas escape, or use a special airlock lid. Your intense smell is probably just the garlic and dill doing their thing. Maybe give it a daily burp so it doesn't surprise you again.

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