I can't quite remember when I first heard about it but my attention was properly snagged while I was researching related items on the internet. It's a Japanese technique, it claims to be ancient and it seems to rely on a lot of pseudo science in its explanation but, with my first Bokashi batch approaching fruition, I think I may be convinced.
The Bokashi composting system seems to be the answer to getting rid of all that kitchen waste that would normally end up in the bin or the dog bowl. I've had my two buckets for a month now. I've started filling my second and the first is due to to hit the allotment on the 16th march, or, more usefully, about two weeks after I stopped filling it.
Bokashi is Japanese for "fermented organic matter" and that's exactly what it is. My Bokashi system came with two airtight fermenting buckets, each with a drainage tap, and a bag of special bran. The bran is the key to the whole system, being laced with a cocktail of effective microorganisms (EM). This is where the apparent pseudo science come into it. Effective microorganisms sounds like marketing to me, better if they just told us what they were rather then the equivalent of "now with added zaZz©".
Anyway. The EM mix allegedly consists of a range of organisms including:-
Lactic Acid Bacteria - there is all sorts of stuff going on with these little fellers, but basically they include that ones you get in Yakult, sauerkraut, pickles and all sorts of other stuff. It is these, erm, things that stop the whole mess of food waste going horribly manky as, in the process of decomposition, they produce lactic acid which suppresses all the other bacteria and mould that would normally cause a green, smelly monstrous mire. This also means that your freshly fermented Bokashi batch will be a little bit acid to begin with, I'm assured that this balances out after a reasonably short time.
Photosyntehtic Bacteria. (not sure what these fellers do as it all happens in the dark anyway)
Yeast. Including the most common yeast in the fermenting process, originally isolated from the skin of grapes, you've just got to love these little critters.
Actinomycetes. Bacteria that normally live in the soil and play an important role in decomposition and humus formation.
Fermenting Fungi. Dunno what these are, but I'm prepared to hazard a guess.
To give you an idea of what this system can handle here is a list of what was added to my first batch. Some of this stuff will be familiar to all compost heaps, some will seem a little unusual, some will be downright alarming.
Vegetable peelings.
Potato peelings! Yes potato peelings.
Salami.
Leftover porridge.
That box of cornflakes that expired in July 2007.
Cheese.
Bread.
Cooked vegetables and potatoes.
Cooked meat, e.g. Steak.
The fat trimmed from bacon.
Raw fish skin and trimmings.
Fish heads.
A whole salmon fillet that got lost at the back of the fridge before sending out a smelly distress call.
I could go on, and no doubt some people will say I am, but the point is you can pretty much put anything food based in this thing and it should be fine.
The only rule is that each time you add a little more food you ensure that it is covered with a little bit of added zaZz© (EM bran). Well to be fair there are a four rules, as follows:-
1. A nice coating of zaZz© after each addition of food.
2. Keep the lid on tight, this is an anaerobic process.
3. Every so often drain off the accumulated liquids (more of this in a short while).
4. Don't add stuff you shouldn't, e.g. tea bags (I don't know why).
5. I said there were four rules, pay attention.
Vital Fluids
Now as mentioned above there is a small issue of drainage. The major by-product of the Bokashi process is a rich sherry-like liquid which can be milked from the bucket via the drainage tap. It is sherry-like in appearance only and smells sweetly grim, under no circumstances should you taste it, I certainly won't be doing so again. Failing to remove the fluid will inhibit the whole process so it must be be done on a regular basis. Luckily the Bokashi juice makes an excellent fertilizer and can be diluted and watered directly onto your plot. Apparently it's a good drain cleaner too, go look for yourself.
Coming soon - what the hell does an emptied out bucket of Bokashi gunk look like.