Vinegar is one of those omnipresent kitchen items that everyone uses but not everyone fully understands. We know it as the acidic, subtly sour-tasting component that punches up dishes and serves as a balancing component in sauces and marinades. But there is more to the story. In this guide, we will help untangle the seemingly complex world of vinegar so you see that it is more approachable and more versatile than you might think.
The word “vinegar” comes from the Latin for “sour wine.” Essentially, it is fermented juice that has turned sour due to the growth of naturally-occurring bacteria. Vinegar comes in a huge variety of flavors, so it does not always taste sour.
Vinegar has long been used by dedicated chefs and hungry cooks, starting 3,000 years ago in ancient Babylon when it was considered the poor man’s wine. In fact, because of its importance in history and its ubiquity around the world, vinegar has been dubbed “the eternal condiment.” In addition to serving as a form of alcohol, ancients also used the liquid to enhance the flavors of their cooking and to preserve and pickle foods. Vinegar does it all, right? It just might be the original superfood!
So how is it made? To put it very simply, it develops when a fruit or grain is allowed to sit for a long period of time. Over time, bacterial growth occurs and combines with oxygen, which creates acetic acid (also known as pure vinegar). This acid is what gives the liquid its punchy, sour flavor. If allowed to ferment further, vinegar will produce a “mother of vinegar” — essentially a solid accumulation of bacteria — which can be used to speed up fermentation and start it anew in another vessel.
Rice vinegar, or rice wine vinegar, is made from fermented rice wine. It has a sweet, delicate flavor and is less acidic compared to most types of vinegar.
How Vinegar Is Flavored
There are many flavors on the grocery store shelves, from fruity vinegars made with grapes to more mild rice vinegars made with — you guessed it — rice. So where does vinegar get its flavor? The base grain or fruit contributes a whole lot to the flavor profile of a specific vinegar. Balsamic vinegar, for example, is made with grape must, which is essentially just boiled-down grape juice. This is what gives balsamic vinegar its highly concentrated flavor profile and syrup-like consistency.
Different manufacturers may use other fruits to achieve a specific flavor profile. For example, our RAPTURE Balsamic Vinegar is made with California zinfandel grapes and ripe Triple Crown Blackberries. Other things that contribute to the flavor profile of vinegar include the wooden barrel in which it is stored during fermentation and the addition of different ingredients which are macerated in the vinegar throughout the aging process.
As we have previously mentioned, vinegar is exceptionally versatile. Of course, our favorite use for it is to flavor dishes, whether that be mixing it into a marinade or drizzling it atop a piece of meat. But vinegar can serve as more than just a flavoring agent. It also serves the following purposes.
- Tenderizes meat. You will often see vinegar used in marinades and brines to help soften and tenderize meat. This is because the acid helps break down those tough connective tissues and collagen, helping to keep things tender.
- Pickles and preserves. One of the original uses for vinegar was to pickle foods to add a bright, salty or sour taste and to help foods keep for longer. In short, the acid in the vinegar helps slow down the natural decaying process of certain foods, which is why it is used in preservation.
- Helps you clean. Cheaper vinegars like distilled white wine vinegar are great for cleaning because their high acidity cuts right through caked-on dirt, grease and grime. Plus, vinegar does not contain any harsh chemicals, so it is a great way to give your cleaning routine a green upgrade.
- Lifts baked goods. If you ever see vinegar used in recipes for cakes, meringues, icings and cookies, it is not a mistake. When combined with baking soda, these ingredients produce carbon dioxide that causes the batter to rise.
- Flavors. Whether for dousing fresh veggies or brightening up a caprese salad, you simply cannot deny the delicious flavor potential of a good vinegar. Vinegar flavors vary widely from one variety to the next, which is why vinegar tasting has become such a popular activity.
The sheer diversity of the vinegar aisle is enough to scare away curious culinarians. But variation in vinegar is surprisingly easy to figure out when you know what to look for. In general, the type of vinegar is determined by what it is made from and how it is refined. Here are some of the most popular kinds of vinegar and their uses.
Great for: Dressings, glazes, drizzles, dips, marinades, reductions
Think of balsamic vinegar as the Ferrari of vinegars. A staple in Italian cuisine, this decadent liquid is actually made from pressed grape juice rather than fermented alcohol, which gives it a more mellow and fruity flavor profile. The dark red liquid is traditionally made from grapes, but it may be mixed with other fruits to give it a deeper or more complex flavor. It is beloved for its sweet taste and concentrated, syrup-like concentration, making it great for drizzling and dipping. You can even use it to make reductions for cocktails. It is, in our humble opinion, among the most decadent of all vinegars.
Great for: Pickling, cleaning, gardening, poaching eggs, baking
If balsamic is the Ferrari of vinegars, distilled white is a good family sedan — reliable and essential but nothing fancy. It is made by distilling vinegar with steam heat, which kills all nutrients and essentially boils the liquid down to pure acetic acid. For this reason, you really do not want to use distilled white vinegar for most cooking tasks. With that said, it is by far the most common choice for pickling because it is high in acetic acid yet it will not change the color of your food. It is also a favorite for things like DIY weed killer and cleaning products.
Great for: Brining, condiments, pickling, dressings, sauces, drizzles, soups, stews, fillings, marinades
As its name suggests, white wine vinegar is made from white wine. It is made when white wine is fermented and oxidized into an acid and then distilled. Unlike distilled white vinegar, though, white wine vinegar tends to have a more mild flavor profile that is subtly fruity. This makes it apropos for cooking and brining. Unlike red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar will not stain your foods, so it is a good choice for brining and pickling. It is also a staple in many classic sauces, including hollandaise and béarnaise. It is even used in Julia Child’s famous vinaigrette.
Great for: Dressings, sauces, pickling, marinades, mignonette
Red wine vinegar is similar to white wine vinegar in that it is made from the grapes of said wine through a process of fermentation and distillation. In many ways, it serves the same purpose as white wine vinegar — it can be integrated in all sorts of sauces and dressings — but it is not preferred for brines or pickling because of its red color and its potential to stain. It is a must for classics like red wine vinaigrette and can be used to pickle when you do not mind a little red stain (think: pickled turnips or red onions). It is also used in mignonette, the classic sauce drizzled atop fresh oysters.
Great for: Dressings, marinades, sauces, drizzles, cocktails
If you are in the market for a special occasion pantry partner, try champagne vinegar. This vinegar is crafted from white grapes and may feature other fruits as well for a deeper flavor profile. In our case, we use double-fermented chardonnay grapes and juicy oranges for a bright, zingy and effervescent flavor. Champagne vinegar tends to be more mild and delicate in flavor than other varieties, which makes it perfect for use in elegant dressings and marinades. You can even use champagne vinegar to jazz up cocktails.
Great for: Dressings, glazes, drizzles, dips, marinades, reductions
Sherry vinegar is a Spanish and Basque staple made by fermenting fortified wine in oak barrels. This gives it a well-rounded, complex flavor profile. Although it is by no means as popular as balsamic vinegar, sherry vinegar has gained quite the following among devoted chefs. It was even called “balsamic’s cooler cousin” by Bon Appetit. It can be used in many of the places where you would use a balsamic, but it is a bit more delicate and medium-bodied, so keep this in mind when devising dishes.
Great for: Health uses, pickling, marinades, sauces
Apple cider vinegar is beloved among the health-conscious and can do some heavy lifting in the kitchen. It is made by fermenting sugar from apples, which turns them into acetic acid, creating a punchy flavor that is fruity and tart. Studies have linked the liquid with lowered blood sugar, weight loss and skin health, but what do chefs have to say about it? You can certainly use the liquid in your kitchen when making marinades, dressings, sauces and more if you prefer a tart taste.
Great for: Sauces, marinades, dressings, stir-fry, rice
A staple in Japan, Korea, China and Vietnam, rice vinegar is made from rice wine and is commonly used in sauces, marinades, dressings, fried rice, stir fry, bulgogi and sushi. As one of the few grain vinegars on this list, rice vinegar brings a mild, subtly sweet and mellow flavor profile to your cooking arsenal, making it perfect for dressings, marinades and more. It is arguably the most mild and least acidic kind of vinegar in the lineup and can serve as a versatile option when you want to add a slight punch.
Great for: Condiments, dips, dressings, sauces, pickling
You have undoubtedly seen malt vinegar on the table at bars and pubs, since it is a common companion to fish and chips and other pub fare. This kind of vinegar is made by malting barley, which causes the starch in the grain to turn into maltose. The light-brown vinegar brings a nutty, toasty and citrusy profile, which makes it a great choice as a dip, drizzle or douse. It can be used in condiments, dressings and sauces or as a drizzle to season fish and chips, toast and more.
Great for: Condiments, dips, dressings, braises, sauces
Black vinegar is a type of rice vinegar made from glutinous rice, the same stuff used to make mochi, zongzi and many other sweet and savory desserts that are popular throughout Asia. Also known as Zhenjiang or Chinkiang vinegar, this variety is used as a condiment thanks to its woody, malty, smoky flavor profile. It is common to use black vinegar as a delicious dipping sauce for dumplings and to braise pork shoulder or ribs.
Malt vinegars creation also begins with alcohol. Barley is first malted. During this first step, barley grains are immersed in water, causing them to sprout and activate enzymes that convert sugars into alcohol (via Michigan State University). Next, that malted barley is brewed into a liquid similar to ale. Finally, that liquid is fermented once more, turning the alcohol into vinegar, per The Kitchn. At the end of the process, you have a bottle of fluid that is usually brown in color.
Unlike other types on this list, malt vinegar is typically used as a condiment, not a cooking ingredient (via The Kitchn). You may have come across this one in the United Kingdom, or at pub restaurants. Thats because malt vinegar is applied as a topping to fish and chips. Overseas, it usually comes in a bottle that is splashed over a fried plate of cod and french fries by customers.
Sherry vinegar is often compared to balsamic, which is the more well-known of the two, but not necessarily always the better option. According to Serious Eats, sherry vinegar is more affordable than the Italian stuff (and even some of its cheaper imitations). Despite rules around both vinegars production, youre more likely to end up finding real sherry vinegar at the grocery store, compared to balsamic. As Bon Appétit says, “the stuff you find in stores labeled sherry vinegar varies comparatively less in quality and has fewer low-quality imitators.”
Vinegar may not seem like the most exciting pantry staple. You buy a bottle, you put it in the cupboard, and it may stay there for years to come. It doesnt seem as essential as oils, nor as delicious as seasonings. Plus, the many different kinds available can cause confusion.
Like other kinds of vinegar, you can use black vinegar to improve recipes like salad dressings or sauces. By doing so, you “will brighten the flavor and prevent the food from feeling too heavy” (via The Daring Kitchen).
Understanding Balsamic Vinegar – What’s the difference?
FAQ
Which vinegar is the sweetest?
Is apple cider vinegar a sweet vinegar?
Is distilled vinegar sweet?
What is good tasting vinegar?
What are the different types of vinegar?
Here’s a breakdown of every type of vinegar and the best ways to use each one. Distilled white vinegar, which is also sometimes labeled as white vinegar, is usually made from a combination of about 5 to 10 percent acetic acid and approximately 90 to 95 percent water. This kind of vinegar is one of the most versatile.
Will I still get the benefits of vinegar water if I add sweetener?
Benefits will be achieved. Vinegar has a moderating effect on blood glucose levels – about 15 ml a day should be taken in a way that is easy to incorporate into your regular diet.
What does vinegar taste like?
Made from malted barley, this vinegar is a bit mild and ever so slightly sweet with a nutty, complex taste. There’s a reason it’s everyone’s favorite accompaniment to fish and chips —the vinegar’s tartness helps cut the greasiness of fried foods. Here’s your guide to the most popular types of vinegar.
Is sherry vinegar sweet?
Sherry vinegar is sort of like the little black dress of vinegars. It’s less sweet than balsamic but more rounded and interesting than standard wine vinegars. Flavor: Medium-bodied, mildly sweet, nutty, and complex. Uses: When you’re looking for a bold vinegar that’s not quite as heavy and sweet as balsamic, this is your best bet.