Identifiers of Completed FS

[tarm]

Some places I've read that flake soil is typically done when the color darkens, other sources say this is irrelevant. Most sources recommend using the FS when the smell becomes "earthy". My FS batches have stopped heating substantially, only now about 5F above ambient, but hasn't darkened and only smells lightly of mulch. I guess I will give it time. Any pointers?

 

[JKim]

Color change matters with what ingredient you used and temperature. In typical known aerobic fermentation, as higher the temperature reaches, darker the substrate color changes into. Dark color doesn't always mean it has been fermented better than lighter colors. Color does change over fermentation, it just depends on temperature it reaches in process.

 

[Goliathus]

It is worth mentioning of course that the color is also affected by moisture.  Substrate will be considerably darker when moistened, than when dry.