Page "Food preservation" Paragraph 36

Many root vegetables are very resistant to spoilage and require no other preservation than storage in cool dark conditions, for example by burial in the ground, such as in a storage clamp.

Century eggs are created by placing eggs in alkaline mud ( or other alkaline substance ) resulting in their " inorganic " fermentation through raised pH instead of spoiling.

The fermentation preserves them and breaks down some of the complex, less flavorful proteins and fats into simpler more flavorful ones.

Cabbage was traditionally buried in the fall in northern farms in the USA for preservation.

Some methods keep it crispy while other methods produce sauerkraut.

A similar process is used in the traditional production of kimchi.

Sometimes meat is buried under conditions which cause preservation.

If buried on hot coals or ashes, the heat can kill pathogens, the dry ash can desiccate, and the earth can block oxygen and further contamination.

If buried where the earth is very cold, the earth acts like a refrigerator.