Sourdough Social in South London

South London Ferments runs kimchi, hot sauce and fermented drinks workshops in Penge.Fermented foods are rich in probiotics that promote gut health, improve digestion and boost the immune system. They can also enhance nutrient absorption, support mental wellbeing and contribute to better skin health, as Lorraine Liyanage of South London Ferments explains. “My interest in fermenting started around 15 years ago out of pure necessity, ” she tells us, “as I found myself spending an absolute fortune buying kimchi every week because I just couldn’t get enough of it.” Growing up in a Sri Lankan household, Lorraine says she has always had a strong appreciation for bold, spicy flavours, so kimchi “felt like the perfect combination of heat, tang and umami”. Plus, she’s always been drawn to the “unique, funky taste” that fermentation brings to food. Lorraine has lived in south London for the past 20 years, first in Dulwich and now calling Penge home, and enjoys walking around the parks in south London with her rescue greyhound SpongeBob. Taking a leap of faith when she hit 30, leaving her corporate job behind, she started fermenting. From making kimchi at home, her curiosity grew, and she began exploring other fermented foods, diving deeper into the process and the “incredible flavours that come from allowing time and bacteria to work their magic”.Lorraine has a whole home fermentation station set up, which almost takes over the kitchen. She brews kombucha, fermented hot sauce, kimchi, dill pickles and sauerkraut. She says: “I love experimenting with different flavours for kombucha and the hot sauce and I’m always thinking up new ferments to offer for my workshops.”Lorraine has seen the health benefits of fermented products in her own diet, too. She explains: “As I approach 50, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my energy levels and overall wellbeing from incorporating more fermented foods into my diet. “With my active lifestyle and passion for weightlifting, gut health has become a top priority for me – probiotics from foods and drinks like kombucha, kefir and kimchi have really helped maintain my digestion and keep my immune system strong.”