I have a very serious question. Do you think that if i went outside and grabbed some lichen and threw it in a jar with water and sugar, that it would ferment? Like a ginger bug.
My very serious answer is that lichens produce secondary metabolites that could both hinder fermentation and make you ill, so I don't recommend trying it and then drinking a bunch. With the abundance of lichens out there and all the human cultures obsessed with fermentation, if it was possible to ferment AND good, people would've figured it out at some point, you know? My less serious answer is IDK, try it and let me know how it goes, just maybe don't try it with any lichens that produce vulpinic or usnic acids, or anything with cyanobacteria. My least serious answer is "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." Like there are so many things that are better to ferment. Maybe focus on those instead?
