8 Comments
Aug 9Liked by Jonathan Kauffman

The slow buildup to your explosion felt like reading a horror short story, just waiting for the killer to strike.

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My goal is to become the cosy Stephen King. Next up: leaving a sealed jar of radish kimchi in a warm room for a month.

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Aug 9Liked by Jonathan Kauffman

Your recap of what happened to an unburped soda reminded me of a similar episode at our house a number of years back when some brewing (and capped) homeade ginger beer went unchecked for days. One night from two stories above the brew, I heard a loud explosion--from just two small bottles of the concoction. I can (still!) vividly imagine the result of the explosions for both of us. Your warnings are well heeded! What do you think the ginger bug would be like with elderberries? I have a bunch of elderberries waiting to be destemmed and a ginger/berry soda sounds yummy.

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Oh, no! I'm definitely glad I detonated the bomb before it detonated the bottle. Black elderberries would be 100% perfect for the same recipe. In fact, you might find that their flavor is so concentrated that 1 cup would be enough.

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Oh my! Not the result you wanted on your new white walls.

I’ve made berry pie with jostaberries in a mix of red and green gooseberries, blackberries, and golden (champagne) currants.

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That sounds delicious!

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Aug 10·edited Aug 10

So your beloved is still so disturbed by this story that he could barely speak of it today other than muttering about repainting. 😂 And, this happens to wine sometimes - corks and wine flying everywhere. Thank goodness it has not happened to us yet. I keep checking the bottles just in case…the Gris and Albarino seem suspicious. 🤨

PS Snack cakes?!?!? I am buying that book!

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still laughing out loud as I envision your explosion(s)! Thank you for sharing (and for your lovely writing!).

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