We got answers
Tempeh
What are the black spots on my tempeh?
Nothing to worry about. Black spots are spores, similar to what is found on the underside of a mushroom. They are completely harmless and actually indicate that the tempeh has matured to its peak flavour.
How do I know when my tempeh has gone bad?
When it’s very soft and sticky, has a strong ammonia smell, or starts growing mold that is not white or black. If you are not sure whether your tempeh has gone bad or not, send us a photo and we’ll tell you.
Is your tempeh pasteurized?
No. We don’t pasteurize our tempeh to keep its best flavour and texture. You can buy our tempeh fresh (if you order online or subscribe to the Ragi Box) or frozen (at our physical store or resellers' points).
How long does tempeh last?
Fresh tempeh will last in the fridge for up to 10 days. Frozen tempeh will keep in the freezer for 12 months. When defrosted, consume within 1 day and do not refreeze.
Can I eat tempeh raw?
You can, but it’s like eating raw mushrooms. They are much better cooked.
How do I cook tempeh?
Cut in cubes, slices, or crumble the tempeh. Marinate it in any sauce for 8-12h in the fridge, and then cook (steam, bake, or fry). Or cook it first with herbs and spices, and add the sauce later. Follow us on Instagram for recipes and tips about cooking tempeh!
Do I need to boil the tempeh before cooking it?
No. Pasteurized tempeh can be a bit bitter and boiling removes that bitterness. Our tempeh is not pasteurized, so doesn't have that bitter taste and hard texture.
Why is the bag full of air?
Tempeh is a living culture. In order to keep the best flavour and texture of our tempeh, we do not pasteurize it. This means that the Ragis will keep the fermentation process, even in the bag. The Ragis will use the oxygen inside the bag and produce CO2. Nothing to worry about.
Do you use GMO beans?
No. We only use organic and GMO-Free.
Where do I discard the tempeh bag?
Our tempeh bag is not plastic. It’s made with 100% natural plant ingredients, and it’s biodegradable and compostable. You can toss it along with your food waste.
Drinks
Do you pasteurize or filter your Kombucha and Tibicos?
No. Pasteurization/ filtration kills all the good bacteria found in kombucha and tibicos. We don't want that.
Do you artificially carbonate your Kombucha and Tibicos?
No. The bubbles in our kombucha and tibicos are a natural byproduct of the process of fermentation.
Why do Kombucha and Tibicos have a low glycemic load?
Although sugar is used in the process, tibicos and kombucha have a low glycemic load. This is because most of the sugar is eaten by the Ragis (yeast and bacteria) in the water kefir grains and SCOBY during the fermentation. The acetic acids and carbonation produced during fermentation also play a role.
Do Kombucha and Tibicos contain alcohol?
All fermented drinks contain a bit of residual alcohol. This is a byproduct of the natural fermentation. Because we don't pasteurize to keep all the good microorganisms alive, our kombucha and tibicos typically have between 0.5% to 1% alcohol. For comparison, a ripe banana contains 0.4%, a burger roll 1.28%, an orange juice 0.73%, and unpasteurized white wine vinegar 2.64%. Unpasteurized products are not recommended for pregnant women. Children can consume them but in very small quantities.
What is the difference between Kombucha and Tibicos/Water kefir?
Kombucha is fermented sweet tea, and Tibicos (also known as water kefir or fruit kefir) is fermented sweet water. Kombucha is populated more with yeasts, while tibicos has a heavier bacterial population.
Are Tibicos and Water Kefir the same drink?
Yes. Under the Swiss Law, the word "kefir" can only refer to the milk product. That's why we're not allowed to call it "Water Kefir". Instead, we opted for its cute original Mexican name: Tibicos
Is it normal to feel bloated after drinking Tibicos and Kombucha?
Although the bubbles in our kombucha and Tibicos are not like those in artificially carbonated drinks, they could still make some people a bit bloated. Also, if you have an unhealthy microbiome or your diet is not very varied, it might take you a bit until you get used to water kefir and kombucha. It’s always better to start slowly (around ⅛-¼ cups a day) and increase the amount gradually.
What is the brown viscose brown thing inside my kombucha?
That’s called a SCOBY (Symbiotic Community Of Bacteria and Yeast), and it’s an indicator that the drink is artisanal and non-pasteurized. You can drink it.
Why my drink doesn't taste the same as the one I had last time?
That’s part of the magic. The Ragis, who are the ones responsible for fermenting the foods are very sensitive to external conditions. As living creatures, they don’t always behave the same way. That’s why each batch is unique.
How long can I keep my kombucha and water kefir?
The low ph of these drinks makes them last long (they can potentially be in the fridge for 1 year). However, we recommend consuming them as fresh as possible. This is because our drinks are not pasteurized so the good living bacteria and yeast keep fermenting the drinks. The longer you leave them in the fridge, the more sour and fizzy they’ll get.
Can I store my Kombucha and Tibicos at room temperature?
No. Our drinks are not pasteurized, which means they will keep fermenting even in the bottle. The cold slows the fermentation down. If you leave them at room temperature for more than 2 days in the summer or 7 days in the winter, the flavour will start to change and there is a risk of overcarbonation, which can make the bottles leak or even explode.
Kimchi
How do I eat kimchi?
If you want to eat kimchi for its probiotic properties, eat it raw. High temperatures kill the good bacteria. You can eat it on its own, add it to salads, rice, or noodles. Kimchi is a great topping for pizzas and pasta sauces. We also love it in our pancakes and soups. Don’t throw away the liquid of the kimchi. You can use it to dress salads or add it to other dishes.
How much kimchi can I eat?
Kimchi is a source of fibre and naturally occurring good bacteria. If you're not used to eating fiber-rich foods or fermented foods, take it slowly. Start with one tablespoon a day and see how your body likes it. There are no guidelines on how much kimchi you can eat. Some people like adding little spoons of kimchi to their meals every day. Other people can eat a whole jar of kimchi in one meal.
How long can I keep my kimchi?
Kimchi will keep well in the fridge for 1 year. After that date, it will still be tasty and safe to consume but the flavour and texture may change. The longer you leave it in the fridge, the more intense and sour kimchi gets. After opening the jar, it can stay in the fridge for up to 6 months if the jar is properly cleaned and closed.
Can I keep my kimchi outside the fridge?
Our kimchi is not pasteurized, which means it will keep fermenting even in the jar. Storing your kimchi at room temperature might make the lid pop and will make your kimchi more acidic.
Others
What is the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?
Probiotics are living good bacteria that offer us health benefits. They are called “good” because they compete for space and food against harmful bacteria, and prevent them from settling in the gut. Prebiotics are what these good bacteria fed off (mainly fibre and complex starches). Taking probiotics can be helpful to have a healthy microbiome, but if we don’t consume fibre and complex starches is a bit like planting seeds without water and sun.
When will I receive my products?
Usually between 2 and 8 days, depending on when the order was placed and the type of product. If you need the order to arrive before or after a specific date, let us know by email.
Is your packaging sustainable?
Sustainability is one of Ragi's core values. We carefully source each element of the packaging to make sure they meet our standards. Some items are compostable and biodegradable, while others are 100% recyclable.
Do you reuse the bottles?
Yes, we do. Feel free to bring us back the bottles and jars.
Do you ship outside Switzerland?
No. Our products are very fresh, so shipping long distances is quite challenging for us at this moment.
Can I cancel an order?
You can cancel your order within the next day after the purchase unless it has already been shipped.
Can I change my shipping details? Yes, send us an email with the new address and we'll change it for you.
Can I return an order?
Due to the perishable nature of our products, we don’t accept returns. If there is a problem with any of your products, let us know and we’ll fix it.
What should I do if my package has been damaged?
Because the products are fresh, we kindly ask you to accept the package and send us a picture of the items as soon as possible so we can evaluate the damage.
If you have other questions, send them to ragifood@gmail.com