🍃 Project Introduction
Ferment App is a native iOS application built with SwiftUI that enables users to manage fermentation recipes, track progress, and automate critical tasks — all within a clean, mobile-first interface. Currently in private beta via TestFlight, the app is designed to support home brewers and fermentation enthusiasts across a wide range of recipes and workflows.
Built for kombucha brewers, kimchi fermenters, and mead makers alike, Ferment App provides a structured and intuitive platform for logging fermentation activities, monitoring variables, and scheduling recurring steps for consistent, repeatable results.
🛠️ Technical Architecture
| Component | Technology | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Language & UI | Swift with SwiftUI | Modern, fluid iOS experience |
| State Management | Combine with ObservableObject | Reactive data flow |
| Local Persistence | Core Data (migrating to SwiftData) | Offline-first data storage |
| Cloud Sync & Auth | Firebase Firestore, Firebase Auth | Cross-device synchronization |
| Storage & Media | Firebase Storage | Recipe images and media |
| Charting & Visualization | Swift Charts | Data visualization |
| Deployment | Xcode, TestFlight | Pre-release distribution |
🚀 Core Features
🧾 Recipe Management System
- • Create and edit fermentation recipes by type (kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, vinegar, mead, and more)
- • Add ingredients, instructions, measurements, and media with structured data entry
- • Type-driven UI that adapts based on fermentation category
📆 Intelligent Task Scheduling
- • Auto-generates task lists based on recipe type and fermentation phase
- • Schedule critical activities like tasting, pH checks, burping, bottling, etc.
- • Custom reminders and frequencies for different fermentation processes
📈 Advanced Timeline & Tracking
- • Log fermentation data including temperature, gravity, pH, notes, and photos
- • Custom timeline view with filtering by fermentation phase
- • Interactive charts for trend analysis over time using Swift Charts
☁️ Cloud Integration (In Progress)
- • Recipe syncing via Firebase Firestore for cross-device access
- • Future community features including public recipe sharing and community libraries
📱 User Experience Highlights
Built with SwiftUI for a modern, fluid iOS experience that feels native
Accessibility First with Dark Mode, VoiceOver, and Dynamic Type support
Offline-first architecture with seamless local/cloud fallback for reliability
Modular design built for scalability and fermentation type-specific logic
🔧 Development Deep Dive
Core Data → SwiftData Migration
- Starting migration to SwiftData for better SwiftUI integration and reduced boilerplate
- Version-safe persistence layer designed to ease future upgrades and migrations
- Improved performance with modern Swift concurrency patterns
Dynamic Configuration Engine
- Type-driven UI and behavior using enums and protocols (e.g., kombucha vs. kimchi workflows)
- Auto-generates default ingredients and task templates by recipe type
- Extensible architecture for adding new fermentation types
Timeline & Data Visualization
- Custom SwiftUI timeline view with historical events and measurements
- Swift Charts integration to visualize pH, temperature, and gravity trends over time
- Interactive filtering by fermentation phase and data type
🧪 Development Status
| Metric | Result | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Recipe Builder | Complete | Live in TestFlight |
| Task Scheduler | Complete | Live in TestFlight |
| Timeline Logging | Complete | Live in TestFlight |
| Cloud Sync | In Development | Q2 2025 |
| Community Sharing | In Development | Q3 2025 |
| App Store Release | Planned | Late 2025 |
🎉 Impact & Vision
Ferment App bridges the gap between paper logs and overcomplicated brewing software. It offers both structure and flexibility, helping fermentation enthusiasts make better, more consistent batches — while tracking their learnings over time.
The Vision: Make fermentation accessible, enjoyable, and scientific for everyone. Turn the humble process of home fermentation into a guided, satisfying experience that connects people with ancient traditions through modern technology.
📚 The Story Behind It
This app began as a side project — a way to blend my personal passion for healthy living, gardening, and fermentation with a deeper dive into mobile development and modern iOS technologies.
Why Fermentation?
Fermentation has always fascinated me: it's ancient, hands-on, and yet deeply scientific. I believe more people could benefit from its health rewards if the process felt more accessible and fun. The U.S. doesn't consume nearly as many fermented foods as other cultures, and I wanted to change that by lowering the barrier and even gamifying the experience — turning something as humble as a home-fermented cabbage into a satisfying, guided process.
Technical Growth
Building Ferment App gave me the chance to explore:
- SwiftUI for modern iOS development
- Firebase for cloud integration
- Core Data & SwiftData for persistence
- IoT integration concepts with temperature sensors
- Swift Charts for data visualization
It's been more than just an app — it's a learning lab where I connect technology with tradition, and a space where I can grow both as a developer and a lifelong experimenter.
This project is still in development and actively evolving. If you're interested in collaborating, testing, or advising, feel free to reach out.