About the studio
QU Fermentation Studio was started by Polly Yim in 2021 as a cozy Berlin supper club highlighting the art of fermentation. Since our beginning, we've expanded our reach, partnering with esteemed Michelin-starred restaurants, collaborating on delicious microbial popups, and contributing to sustainability projects outside of Berlin. Our mission centers on demystifying fermentation for the public, advocating its integration into everyday culinary practices, and fostering collaboration with farmers and chefs keen on incorporating this craft into their holistic approach.
What is Qu?
Grounded in Asian fermentation traditions, we intertwine principles of seasonality and environmental consciousness into our methodology. At the heart of our philosophy lies the Chinese wild starter, "qu," ( 麴) revered for its distinct local characteristics. Depending on the season or the specific site of production, qu can yield rice wines and other fermented foods with an evolving spectrum of bacteria, molds, and yeast. Due to shifting microbial communities around us, qu can yield sensory experiences ranging from delicate floral notes to robust earthy tones.
Each batch of qu is a reflection of the dynamic interplay between microbial communities, ingredients, and environmental conditions. Mindful of this relationship between microbes and place, we celebrate the importance of locale in wild fermentation processes, continually seeking to capture and showcase the distinctive character of our surroundings in our practice.