With National Vinegar Day this November, this week, our bulk seasoning suppliers discuss all things vinegar! That’s right, we’re taking a closer look at the difference between the many types and just how you can make the difference to your dishes with a simple splash. Let’s take a closer look.
The Difference Between Malt and White Vinegar
The difference between malt and white vinegar is the colour and the flavour. Malt vinegar is colourless because it is purified vinegar, made by fermenting acetic acid in water. Malt vinegar is sweeter and less acidic than white vinegar. It also has a more complex flavour, with a nutty and earthy taste and is a dark caramel colour. This is because of the fermented barley used to make it. Malt vinegar is harder to make than white vinegar, which is why it is usually more expensive to buy.
What is Distilled Vinegar?
Distilled vinegar is similar to white vinegar, however, it’s more potent. Distilled vinegar is more purified – you may be more familiar with it as the perfect cleaning product! It may seem strange that the same ingredient can be used to both clean your bath and create a delicious marinade, but it is inexpensive and incredibly versatile.
Distilled vinegar is made by feeding oxygen to a vodka-esque grain alcohol, causing bacteria to grow and acetic acid to form. These acids give vinegar its sour taste.
Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is a dark, concentrated and intense vinegar, originating in Moderna, Italy. It’s usually made from freshly crushed grape juice with all the skins, seeds and stems. This is also known as grape must. Balsamic vinegar is not fermented, which means it naturally has more of a sweet and fruity flavour. This makes the perfect salad dressing, combined with oil.
Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar is made from rice wine and fermented rice. It is a pale yellow colour and known for its sweeter taste, compared to other vinegar types. You can use rice vinegar to make dips, dressings and marinate meat.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This vinegar comes from, you guessed it, apple cider! This vinegar is made from fermented apple juice, and used in salad dressings, marinades, vinaigrettes, food preservatives, and chutneys. It is made by crushing apples, then squeezing out the juice. It’s known for its zesty flavour. As well as adding a tang to dishes, apple cider vinegar is thought to have great health benefits.
Tips for Cooking with Vinegar
Tangy and flavour-enhancing, vinegar can bring a new dynamic to many dishes. As well as adding flavour, vinegar can preserve food, improve the appearance of a dish, and even fill in for missing ingredients. Here are our bulk seasoning suppliers top tips for cooking with vinegar!
Gently Does It
As we always say, you can add but you can’t take away! Vinegar has a strong flavour, so be sure to start with a little, taste, and then add more. You can’t take it out again once it’s been added to your mix!
Separating Pasta
Add a tablespoon of vinegar to your boiling water to stop pieces of pasta from sticking together. Alkaline tap water can cause the pasta to release more starch and become sticky. Vinegar helps to prevent this.
Airy Sponge
Did you know that a couple of drops of vinegar, per egg, within your mixture will give your cake an airier crumb? It also guarantees fluffy meringues.
Perfect Poached Eggs
Getting a poached egg perfect is can be one of life’s greatest challenges! Once the water is boiled, create an inertia with a big spoon and add a few drops of vinegar to the water. The vinegar helps egg white to stick together and wrap around itself. This way, you’re not left with a mess of an egg to extract from the water.
Get in Touch
At World of Spice, our bulk seasoning suppliers understand the importance of vinegar in cooking and authentic and traditional tasting cuisine. Our herbs, spices and seasonings online are known for their purity and potency, full of delicious flavour to give your food the edge. Our service is cost-effective and reliable; we go above and beyond for each of our customers to ensure that you get the produce you need for business.
From bespoke blends to a choice of packaging, complete with custom labelling, our comprehensive service can help you achieve your culinary goals. For more information about our services and what we can offer you, please contact us at orders@worldofspice.co.uk, or feel free to call our team on 01277 633303. We look forward to hearing from you.
