I boiled my hot sauce a couple days ago and unfortunately I’m not pleased with the result. There’s something about the final product that’s just “off”. There's also no notiecable fruitiness to it. The heat is very nice and very even but the smell is just generally unpleasant. It has a similar aroma to the way it smelled during fermentation. By the way, I used a whey starter, from whole fat yogurt. I made the mistake of opening my glass jar during fermentation a few times to stir everything. Fermentation would eventually start back up but even then I noticed a not so pleasant aroma and stayed in the sauce even after boiling. Anyone have any ideas of what this could be? Did I use to much whey starter? I’m in the process of fermenting another batch and this time, because it’s the only thing I can think of, I’m not going to open the jar and I’m not going to stir. Maybe just skim the top off when I’m finished. Thanks guys.
Did it smell sour or stinky/yeasty like a dumpster behind a bakery........sorry, .....
.......that reminded of a resturant I use to work at, there was a bakery next door and the old dough culture would get thrownout and ferment.......well lets just say it didn't smell like fresh baked Baklava...ha
Anyways, Bills right....again.....You let the air in.
When fermenting I never use a starter , its strictly ripe peppers off the plants, with an additional amount of salt in proportion to the weight of the peppers and a small amount of evaporated cane sugar. The salt will bring out the liquid from the peppers, the airlock on the vessel will let the gas escape, not letting air or bacteria in.
Theres no reason to remove the lid until the desired time period is over.I can see through the glass and I don't shake it up like a Christmas waterglobe to disperse the liquid (some may enter the airlock). The jar stays put in a dark closet...and theres no reason for an unpleasent smell when opened.
If you're using a starter the chance of building a crust of moldy yeast on the top layer increases and the possibility of growing unseen bacteria spindles throughout the ferment multiplies. Theres no safe duration when to stop or extend the process. I haven't used it before but there are powdered vegetable starters available with instructions on how to ferment.
I would suggest next time if possible to use a jar with an airlock and keep in mind, only use ripe not over ripened fruit. The chance of spoilage will decrease. Good luck on the next time around. The final ferment should have a mellow pleasent pepper scent. these are only
my opinions.
Greg