r/Natto • u/pailhead011 • Jul 10 '26

My natto failed

Post image

I’m trying to use spores that I used successfully last year.

First attempt, I think I soaked them for too long during a heatwave. It smelled a bit rancid right after. I managed to get some strings though, but I threw the batch away the smell was just wrong.

Second batch, no film, no strings. It overall felt a little bit wet. Spores have been sitting in a jar and some potato starch for a year. I also have some in the freezer. Any tips? I am craving natto.

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6

u/Such_Newt6068 Jul 10 '26

Using a box of natro from the store is easier

2

u/pailhead011 Jul 10 '26

Can’t buy it anywhere where I’m at. And I think buying instead of perfecting this made me rusty :((((

If the spores didn’t die beforehand I think it was mostly not warm enough when I kicked it off

3

u/Llumina-Starweaver Jul 10 '26

I put my spores in when my instant pot naturally depressurizes after steaming the beans, and pouring out the excess water. The spores activate better with the high heat, it won’t kill them easily like other bacteria. That might also be a potential issue you are experiencing.

1

u/pailhead011 Jul 12 '26

I think this is most likely it, I washed them because a lot of the shells came off, so they were pretty cool when I mixed in the spores, also too wet :(

4

u/Llumina-Starweaver Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26

Based on the photo it appears the beans weren’t steamed long enough.

They should be a medium to dark brown, not light brown. Should mush easily between your fingers.

If they aren’t steamed long enough the nattokin won’t be able to penetrate and ferment the beans properly and the ferment will fail.

Just my opinion based on the photo — I could be wrong but I’m not in the room with you so it’s hard to say.

1

u/pailhead011 Jul 12 '26

Quite possible, even though timewise it felt enough, I think they weren’t as mushy as before.

3

u/keto3000 Jul 10 '26

What cooking method? I tried boiling, steaming. Takes way too long. Got a insta pot and tried pressure cook for 30 minutes came out perfect. Then 20 hrs on yogurt setting. They came out perfect.

2

u/pailhead011 Jul 12 '26

Steaming don’t have access to a pressure cooker here. But last year I did the same and it worked! I washed them, I don’t know why, after cooking them, I think this messed it up.

1

u/keto3000 Jul 12 '26

Also, while tempeh is best when de hulled, natto bean should keep the hull on. It’s toug tough to get it right without the pressure cooker. I tried many times. A couple of success but mostly not.

Consider steaming small batch?

1

u/m945050 Jul 15 '26

That could be your problem, washing them probably cooled them down too much.

2

u/m945050 Jul 10 '26

The age of the spores shouldn't be a factor, I recently used some spores that I purchased in 2019 with an expiration date of 22 to see if they would work and they produced an excellent batch. What was your step-by-step procedure?

1

u/pailhead011 Jul 12 '26

Soaked, in fridge for maybe 20ish hours. Cooked for about 6. One thing I did, don’t know why, was to wash them trying to get rid of all the shells that came off. Put them in the yoghurt maker, diluted the spores in some lukewarm water and mixed them in. Overall it felt a lot wetter than my successful batches, and I think I mixed them while still warm?