Vinegars

Vinegar is one of our oldest condiments, and is made by acetic fermentation, a process that occurs when a liquid containing less than eighteen percent alcohol is exposed to the air.  Vinegar can be used as a preservative in pickles and chutneys and as an ingredient in marinades and dressings.  Vinegar adds great flavor to cooked dishes and sauces but only a couple spoonfuls are necessary.  Most countries produce their own type of vinegar, based on their most popular alcoholic drink - wine vinegar in France and Italy, sherry in Spain, rice wine in Asia, and beer and cider in Great Britain.

Health Benefits
Hippocrates prescribed vinegar as a cure for respiratory problems and is also said to be beneficial in cases of food poisoning.  Dr. DeForest Clinton Jarvis wrote a book in the 1960's entitled Folk Medicine where he attributed cider vinegar as a cure for everything from arthritis and headaches to obesity and hiccups.  Vinegar is one of the foods that is known to suppress your appetite and speed up your metabolism.  Check out http://www.webmd.com/diet/apple-cider-vinegar for more health benefits of apple cider vinegar.  White distilled vinegar can also be used as a cleaning agent in your home instead of harsh chemicals.

Wine Vinegars
These can be made from red, white or rose wine.  Cheap and fast methods of making these vinegars include the addition of heat and is typically found in dressings, mayonnaise, and sauces.

Balsamic Vinegar - my favorite, did you see the blog post on balsamic reductions the other day?
This rich, dark, yet mellow vinegar is from Modena in Northern Italy and is made from grape juice, which is fermented in vast wooden barrels for a minimum of four to five years and up to forty or more years.  Pair balsamic vinegar with salads, roasted vegetables and even strawberries.

Sherry Vinegar
Sweet and mellow in flavor, sherry is caramel in color and can be used the same way as balsamic as it is aged similarly.

Raspberry Vinegar
Raspberries are the most popular soft fruit added to enhance the flavor of white wine vinegar.  This can be made at home by macerating fresh raspberries in good quality wine vinegar for two to three weeks.  Strain the mixture and add to salads or sauces.  It can also be added to mineral water for a refreshing drink.

Malt Vinegar
Made from sour beer, this vinegar has a robust, harsh flavor and is used in Britain and other northern European countries for pickling vegetables or as a condiment for french fries.  This vinegar is usually colored with caramel but can also be clear. 

Rice Vinegar
Japan's rice vinegar is mellow and sweet and is often used to flavor sushi rice, dressings, stir-frys and sauces.  Chinese rice vinegar is much sharper in taste and is usually a clear, pale brown color but can also be inky-black or white.

Cider Vinegar
This vinegar is praised for its health-promoting properties.  It is made the same way as wine vinegar and is clear, pale-brown with a slight apple flavor but is often too strong to be used as wine vinegar is.  It can be used on salads but is best used for pickling fruits such as pears.  It can also be added to honey, lemon and hot water for a soothing drink as a remedy for colds and the flu.