In Olden days:
"Well, we have all this cabbage that didn't get sold. Shame to see it go to waste. What do we do with it?"
"I've got some crocks, maybe it will store over the winter."
Weeks Later...
"Ugh, that's some rank stuff in that crock. W should throw it out."
"No, wait... we use salt to preserve everything else, let's try that!"
"Sure! OK!"
Weeks Later...
"Still smell awful rank. Suppose it's any good?"
"Only one way to find out...."
Surprised entire communities didn't just drop dead from food poisoning.