Handmade in a small Oakland, California studio, this fermentation jug is elegant, functional and compact enough for apartment kitchens. It’s rustic, minimalist aesthetic will be at home on any countertop—made from high-fired stoneware and finished with a hand-made glaze in a glossy, speckled white or silvery, matte black. We also love how the crock uses a traditional water-lock style seal, an ancient fermentation style which does wonders to keep out oxygen. After a water-sealed crock is packed, two half-circle weights (which are included) are placed into the crock to keep your veggies submerged. Then, the lid is placed into an open moat which is then filled with water. Now, outside air is prevented from entering the crock and carbon dioxide gases created during fermentation easily bubble out.

This simple device is wonderful way to make lacto-fermented pickles at home. It fits on any standard wide-mouth canning jar (such as Ball or Mason brand), and attaches using the ring that came with the jar. As long as the mouth of the jar is the right diameter, this will work with any size, from small to large capacity. This works exactly as it is supposed it and is incredibly easy to figure out. The internal plate presses evenly and keeps everything submerged— no need for other tricks like rocks, smaller jars filled with water, or breakable ceramic disks. We also love that the lid doesn't take up much space like a standard large fermentation crock would, so fermentation enthusiasts can store multiple projects at once. Plus, with the adjustable size, it's easy to use when making smaller batches for those just starting to dip their toes in pickling or when trying out a new recipe for the first time. It’s an added bonus that, once fermentation is complete, your pickles are already in a storage jar. Simply remove the lid ring and krautsource lid, then top with the jars normal lid and screw on the ring. Ready to store in your fridge! Note: Each Kraut Source product comes with a booklet of helpful instructions and recipes to get you started on your fermentation adventures. It’s smart to use recipes for fermentation, to make sure the salt levels are appropriate for preventing the growth of bad bacteria— we only want the good stuff!

Homemade sauerkraut and kimchi are made safe and easy with this home fermentation kit. The set includes a three-liter glass fermenting jar—large enough to easily accommodate a large napa cabbage—as well as a silicone lid that seals more easily than twist-top metal lids. Simply slice vegetables, layer with spices and leave to soak in a brine solution. Kilner provides two ceramic stones that will keep your vegetables weighed down beneath the surface of the brine. Additionally, the airlock releases the carbon dioxide that results from fermentation without letting in any oxygen. We love to make homemade kimchi and we use it with our Pork and Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae) or Kimchi and Bacon Fried Rice; the pickled napa cabbage also serves as a spicy, crunchy key element of our Sesame Stir-Fried Pork with Shiitakes. Or make fresh sauerkraut, whose bright and clean flavor is far superior to store-bought canned and jarred varieties; it's perfect for dishes like our Paprika-Caraway Kielbasa Soup. And don't worry—the Kilner fermentation set is large enough that you will have plenty of homemade pickles for snacking even after you use them generously in recipes.

This durably built 0.9-gallon Korean container is designed for fermenting kimchi, sauerkraut or pickles and is a breeze to use. The double lid locks tightly and is effective for containing odors, while the sturdy polypropylene construction scrubs up beautifully. The inner vacuum lid sits snugly on top of the fermenting products, preventing oxygen contact, which can lead to mold growth and spoilage; it also has a small covered valve that you can unseal to vent carbon dioxide buildup during fermentation.

These petite fennel seeds have such a potent flavor that they might even be better than fresh fennel. Earthier than tarragon, greener than star anise, and more savory than aniseed, Wild Foraged Afghan Fennel is amazingly aromatic and has warm notes of licorice. These whole seeds are harvested each summer from the outskirts of Herat by local foragers.

Founded in 2015 by a team of U.S. Army veterans who served in Afghanistan, Rumi Spice partners with more than 350 small village farmers to source hard-to-find Afghan spices. The company has provided jobs for more than 3,700 women and works to boost local agricultural economies. Every step of production, from harvesting to packaging in BPA-free glass bottles, is done in Afghanistan so that locals receive their fair share of the profits.

• Net Weight: 2.1 ounces
• Ingredients: Whole fennel
• Place of Origin: Herat, Afghanistan

Jacobsen Salt Co.’s Pure Kosher Sea Salt is wonderful as a finishing salt—but it can do so much more. It has a smaller grain than the company's signature flaky sea salt, which makes it a perfect go-to alternative for table salt in recipes: It weighs just a tad less than table salt, so the volumes are almost equivalent, yet it's easier to pick up by hand and sprinkle into dishes than table salt (which is why all Milk Street recipes call for kosher salt). The company hand-harvests every single grain of salt from the Netarts Bay in northern Oregon, so this bright, clean-flavored sea salt has an even consistency ideal for cooking, baking or pickling, in addition to finishing sprinkles.

Hand-picked by Afghan women in the foothills of the Hindu Kush mountains, Wild Black Cumin is a bit earthier and mellower than grocery-store versions. Its flavor is remarkably well rounded compared to the bitter harsh flavor of raw cumin from grocery stores. Because it is foraged from the wild, this cumin has unique flavor characteristics and a more concentrated flavor from its native terroir.

Founded in 2015 by a team of U.S. Army veterans who served in Afghanistan, Rumi Spice partners with more than 350 small village farmers to source hard-to-find Afghan spices. The company has provided jobs for more than 3,700 women and works to boost local agricultural economies. Every step of production, from harvesting to packaging in BPA-free glass bottles, is done in Afghanistan so that locals receive their fair share of the profits.

• Net Weight: 2.1 ounces
• Ingredients: Whole black cumin
• Place of Origin: Hindu Kush mountains, Afghanistan

Rumi's Herati Coriander tastes dramatically more complex and vibrant than any other variety you'll find, with the spice's classic herbal and citrus flavors giving way to a distinct cilantro leaf note. It's earthy, nutty and slightly toasty, but less cereal-like than others. Texture-wise, it's also less tough and husk-like than most whole coriander seeds.

Founded in 2015 by a team of U.S. Army veterans who served in Afghanistan, Rumi Spice partners with more than 350 small village farmers to source hard-to-find Afghan spices. The company has provided jobs for more than 3,700 women and works to boost local agricultural economies. Every step of production, from harvesting to packaging in BPA-free glass bottles, is done in Afghanistan so that locals receive their fair share of the profits.

• Net Weight: 1 ounce
• Ingredients: Whole coriander
• Place of Origin: Herat, Afghanistan