Our Story: Where Tradition Meets Fermentation
I was born in the Balkans, raised in Turkey, and grew up in a home where fermentation wasn’t a trend — it was simply everyday life. Jars of pickles lined our shelves like family members, each with its own character and story. Long before I ever made kimchi, I was already fermenting vegetables the way my mother and grandmother did: naturally, patiently, and with deep respect for living foods. That early connection to preserved, probiotic-rich foods stayed with me long after I moved to the Netherlands.
From Passion to Jar: The Zuur Mama Journey
A few years ago, I fell in love with kimchi — its heat, its complexity, and its natural probiotic power. I began making it at home, experimenting, refining, and eventually creating my own signature twist: using Turkish pul biber instead of Korean chili flakes.
It gives the kimchi a warm, smoky depth and an aftertaste people keep coming back for.
The Spark Behind Zuur Mama
Friends and family kept saying, “If you ever sell this, we’ll be your first customers.”
So I listened. That’s how Zuur Mama was born — a small-batch fermentation brand rooted in Balkan tradition, shaped by Turkish flavor, and inspired by Korean techniques. Today, it’s not only kimchi; it’s also naturally fermented pickles made the way I’ve been making them for years. Both are powerful, living foods that support gut health and overall well-being.
The Zuur Mama Difference: Crafted for Better Gut Health
At the heart of Zuur Mama is a simple motivation:
to share the foods that have nourished me and my family for generations, and to contribute — even in a small way — to the health and well-being of the people around met's our unwavering dedication to traditional methods. We prioritize live fermentation for genuine probiotics and complex flavor.
Every jar is made with care, clean ingredients, and the same curiosity that started in my family’s kitchen years ago. It’s not just fermentation; it’s a little piece of my journey, shared with anyone who loves bold flavor, real nourishment, and living food.
"I love that Zuur Mama kimchi is made locally with no weird ingredients! It tastes amazing and I feel good about eating it."
Conscious Foodie - Amstelveen