Sowans is a traditional Scottish oat fermentation that produces both a creamy lacto-fermented porridge and a tangy probiotic drink. Learn how to make it in your own home, using whole oats or oat flour.

Sowans: The Scottish Oat Ferment

Oats are synonymous with Scottish cuisine and so many people worldwide love the oat grain for the sustenance and health benefits that it provides.

But how many of us know that, in Scotland, oats were traditionally wild-fermented, creating a soft, tangy porridge called sowans, and a hearty probiotic drink called swats?

In Sowans: The Scottish Oat Ferment, Alison will show you how to prepare oats as the Scots historically did for centuries. You’ll make sowans, a morning porridge that’s creamy, tangy and smooth (Alison describes it as ‘eating clouds’) and can be sweetened or taken savoury. In the process, you’ll also create Swats, a probiotic-packed drink that is super-refreshing cold, but can also be spiced and drunk warm – perfect for a cold day. In addition, Alison will share with you many more unusual ways the porridge and drink can be used in your recipes, dishes and kitchen.

You will learn:

• From over 55 minutes of video instruction
• All about Sowans, the Scottish Oat Ferment, including its history, practical uses and health benefits.
• Step-by-step, how to create the fermented porridge Sowans and the probiotic drink Swats in your own home, whatever equipment you have.
• How to know when your fermentation is done, and then how to process and store the porridge and drink.
• Many delicious options for bringing Sowans and Swats to your table and incorporating them into your recipes/kitchen.

Course curriculum

Welcome & What is Sowans?

• Welcome & What is Sowans?

The History and Health Benefits of Sowans and Swats

• The History of Sowans
• The Health Benefits of Sowans and Swats

Equipment for the Fermentation

• Equipment Options to Prepare Sowans
• Full Equipment List

Preparing Sowans

• Preparing Sowans with a Roller Mill
• Written Instructions for Preparing Sowans with a Roller Mill
• Preparing Sowans with a High-Powered Blender
• Written Instructions for Preparing Sowans with a High-Powered Blender
• Preparing Sowans with Purchased Oat Flour
• Written Instructions for Preparing Sowans with Purchased Oat Flour

Fermentation and Post-Fermentation Processing

• Fermenting Sowans
• Post-Fermentation Processing

What you can do with Sowans and Swats!

• How to Prepare, Eat and Cook with Sowans
• How to enjoy Swats and also use it in your Kitchen
• Sowans Scones!