
Ferment
The Life-Changing Power of Microbes
Tim Spector(Author)
Vintage (Publisher)
Published on 4. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-1-5299-3232-4 (ISBN)
Description
'No one knows more about fermenting'' Davina McCall
'The master of gut health and intelligent eating' Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
An inspiring guide to the life-changing power of fermentation from world-leading gut scientist and no. 1 bestselling author Tim Spector
From kombucha and kefir to sourdough, miso and coffee, Professor Tim Spector dispels the myths around fermented foods. He explains what fermented foods are, what to look for when buying them, how to make them at home, and why adding simple ferments to everyday meals can transform your gut health and overall well-being.
Blending cutting-edge science with practical, reassuring advice, Ferment shows how small changes to what's on your plate can make a big difference to your health.
'By the end of the book, I had jars of kombucha and sauerkraut brewing in my pantry' New Scientist
'A super healthy and tasty gift for you and your gut microbiome' Clare Bailey Mosley
'Fermentation is the original wellness hack - and Tim reminds us that the best health breakthroughs can begin in a jar' Liz Earle
'The master of gut health and intelligent eating' Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
An inspiring guide to the life-changing power of fermentation from world-leading gut scientist and no. 1 bestselling author Tim Spector
From kombucha and kefir to sourdough, miso and coffee, Professor Tim Spector dispels the myths around fermented foods. He explains what fermented foods are, what to look for when buying them, how to make them at home, and why adding simple ferments to everyday meals can transform your gut health and overall well-being.
Blending cutting-edge science with practical, reassuring advice, Ferment shows how small changes to what's on your plate can make a big difference to your health.
'By the end of the book, I had jars of kombucha and sauerkraut brewing in my pantry' New Scientist
'A super healthy and tasty gift for you and your gut microbiome' Clare Bailey Mosley
'Fermentation is the original wellness hack - and Tim reminds us that the best health breakthroughs can begin in a jar' Liz Earle
Reviews / Votes
The master of gut health and intelligent eating, Tim Spector makes the science of fermentation, and the goodness it can bring you, exciting to read about, and the recipes are so tempting and accessible that you'll want to have a go for sure -- Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall No one knows more about fermenting than Tim Spector - his insights have been life-changing for me -- Davina McCall I love this book just SO much. Fermentation is the original wellness hack - and Tim reminds us that the best health breakthroughs can begin in a jar. -- Liz Earle A super healthy and tasty gift for you and your gut microbiome - discover the joy of fermenting with Tim's expert guidance -- Dr Clare Bailey Mosley Tim Spector [has] done more than anyone to draw public attention to the link between gut health, immunity, ageing and mood * Daily Telegraph * A fascinating overview of the field based on copious new research. It is not just a summary of what has gone before but an exciting glimpse of the future... Spector is an engaging storyteller and his palpable enthusiasm for the microbial world is infectious * Literary Review * A persuasive, meticulously researched book... By the end of the book, I had jars of kombucha and sauerkraut brewing in my pantry * New Scientist * Tim Spector has done more than anyone to popularise the microbiome...Now with Ferment, Spector focuses on foods that can contribute their own cargo of friendly bacteria and yeasts * Financial Times * Spector is an engaging storyteller and his palpable enthusiasm for the microbial world is infectious... There is a quotable fact on every page... A practical handbook and a thorough guide to this still-developing science - one that offers its knowledge as a gateway to further research and further thought. * Literary Review * Ferment is a deep-dive on the super good for you foods... Spector finds ferments so thrilling because you eat your own science... and the research involved is gripping too * The Mirror * For anyone who is nervous about working with microbes...[Ferment] will demystify the process... [Spector] affirm[s] that microbes are,more often than not, our friends * Times Literary Supplement * Features some impressive research on the health benefits of fermented foods in terms of gut health, immunity, mental health and inflammation. * Your Healthy Living * The nutrition revolution is well underway and Tim Spector is one of the visionaries leading the way. His writing is illuminating and so incredibly timely -- Yotam Ottolenghi, praise for SPOON-FED Tim Spector makes healthy eating exhilarating, empowering and achievable -- Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, praise for FOOD FOR LIFE Tim Spector has been exploding the myths around food and health for years * The Times, praise for FOOD FOR LIFE * The nutrition revolution is well underway and Tim Spector is one of the visionaries leading the way. -- Yotam Ottolenghi - praise for SPOON-FEDMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Vintage Publishing
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
229 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5299-3232-4 (9781529932324)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
09/2025
Jonathan Cape
€21.50
Available immediately

E-Book
09/2025
Vintage Digital
€10.99
Available for download

Book
09/2025
Jonathan Cape
€31.50
Available immediately
Person
Tim Spector is Professor of Epidemiology at Kings College London and one of the world's leading scientists. He is the bestselling author of The Diet Myth, Spoon-Fed, Food for Life, The Food for Life Cookbook and Ferment, and scientific co-founder of ZOE, the gut health science company. A pioneer of microbiome research, he is among the top 100 most cited scientists in the world and was awarded an OBE for his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. His Channel 4 documentary series What Not to Eat (January 2026) achieved record viewing figures with more TV to come.