Sauerkraut ( `` sour herb '' ) directly translated from German or `` sour cabbage '' , is finely shredded cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria , including Leuconostoc , Lactobacillus , and Pediococcus . Sauerkraut ( in English ; , ) , directly translated from German : `` sour herb '' or `` sour cabbage '' , is finely shredded cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria , including Leuconostoc , Lactobacillus , and Pediococcus .