Cider Vinegar

Derived from the French word ‘vin aigre,’ (sour wine) the solution holds various uses and has been a beneficial item for thousands of years, used in cooking, as a preservative, medicine, and even wellness drink. Today, Vinegar is just as popular. What Is Vinegar? Vinegar is made up of either complex carbohydrates (barley, potatoes, rice) or simple sugars (apples, honey, grapes) and is fermented into an alcoholic product (using acetic acids). This acidic bacterium uses the alcohol and oxygen within the vinegar solution to create the memorable sour flavouring that vinegar holds. The process of fermentation can take weeks or even months to create high-quality natural vinegar (some can take up to 25 years). However, with industrialised methods, vinegar can be made and sold in bigger batches and in half the time (take note on any preservatives or additives that come alongside this). Have a look for vinegars in supermarkets, you can even take to buying vinegar online. Different Types of Vinegar Red Red vinegar refers to Red-Wine Vinegar and traditional Chinese Rice Vinegar. Red wine vinegar is made predominantly from fermented wine. It holds a tolerable fruity flavour, and can be used in marinades and vinaigrettes. Chinese rice vinegar is made from Chinese red rice yeast and is used in lots of seafood and salad dishes. It has a tart flavouring and tends to have a less acidic affect compared to other vinegars. Both vinegars leave a pink/red colouring on the food, and both come with some potential health benefits. Some of these include- improved digestion, blood pressure, blood clots, inflammation, blood sugar control, and a boost to the immune system. White White vinegar, or ‘distilled’ or ‘spirit’ vinegar, is a type of fermented vinegar that is made from ethanol. Fermentation of grain alcohol creates acetic acid, which is the main bacterium found in our day-to-day vinegars. After its souring, water is added to this mixture to create a 95 (water) to 5 (acetic acid) ratio. Unlike red vinegar, white vinegar is not usually used in cooking. Instead, it is used for all things cleaning: showers, taps, toilets, glass, counters, drains, and washing machines. You can use this vinegar alone in cleaning, or pair it with bicarbonate soda. The chemical reaction between vinegar and bicarbonate soda creates a fizzy mixture which is an easier blend of chemicals to clean with compared to thin vinegar liquid. Balsamic Vinegar Originating, and predominantly made in Italy, Balsamic vinegar is a brown concentrated vinegar made with unfermented grapes (skin, seeds, stems). The vinegar has a strong tart taste to it, and is a great flavour to add to bland dishes. Though it is known to be added to savoury dishes, when reduced, it turns into a sticky thick liquid which can be added to desserts such as ice cream. Apple Cider Apple Cider Vinegar is simply made from crushed fermented apples, sugar and yeast. Though sometimes it is used in salad dressings and vinaigrettes, it has also been used as a medicinal product throughout history. Over the last ten years it has become popular within the world of wellness, used to help with weight loss, heartburn, balancing cholesterol levels and can be used as a probiotic for good gut health. Linking to this, an interesting fact about apple cider vinegar is it is one of the only types that is completely unpasteurised. Cooking With Vinegar In the kitchen, vinegar can be a versatile ingredient. It can transform many meals by taking different affects to a wide range of dishes. Cooking vinegar can be used in sauces, desserts, marinades, vinaigrettes, and even cocktails. The unusual flavour can enhance sweetness and saltiness, and block out heat and fatty flavours. In baking, the acetic acid enhances texture, and can help rise baked goods. In order of pickling foods, we use distilled white vinegar, wine vinegar, cider vinegar, or malt vinegar for preservation. It all depends on your pickle tasting preference. They all range in PH acidity, hence why they all come with different flavours.

Looking for a holistic lift to your self-care regime? Look no further than apple cider vinegar. We have just restocked our own apple cider vinegar, made right here in Kent! Not only will it benefit your health, but it could leave you with shiny hair, a fresh home and the whitest smile of your life… What is Apple Cider Vinegar? Vinegar dates back to at least 3000 BC, when it was used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Hippocrates used vinegar to manage wounds, and since then people have used it to treat all manner of maladies, from poison ivy to croup. Thanks to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, apple cider vinegar boasts plenty of nourishing benefits. Evidence suggests it may even help weight loss, reduce cholesterol and lower blood sugar levels. To reap the rewards, you’ll want to use raw, unpasteurised, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. This type comes with a substance called 'the mother', which is made up of health-boosting strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria. If you’d like to get in on the magic, check out our Apple Cider Vinegar Product Page. How is Apple Cider Vinegar Made? Creating apple cider vinegar is a three-step process. First the apples are crushed, and the juice extracted. Next, the juice is fermented from either airborne yeasts or, in commercial production added yeast, which turns the liquid into apple cider. The last step, a second round of fermentation, converts the alcohol into vinegar. What is Apple Cider Vinegar used for? Stocking a pantry with apple cider vinegar is a great way to look after yourself this spring. And as you'll discover, there are a number of ways to enjoy its benefits… Human Consumption Eat it: One of the simplest ways to consume apple cider vinegar is to cook with it. Popularly used in vinaigrette salad dressing, it can also be used to pep up soups, sauces and marinades. Drink it: Want the benefits pronto? Whip up a quick tonic by diluting 15ml of apple cider vinegar in 500ml of water. If you can’t handle the taste (it’s certainly unique) try turning it into a tea by combing two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, two tablespoons of lemon, one tablespoon of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper in a mug of warm water. Sore throat? Chuck in a tablespoon of honey to soothe your throat while the apple cider vinegar fights any bacteria. Preserve with it: Just like other vinegars, apple cider vinegar makes an excellent preservative by making the food more acidic and killing any food-ruining bacteria. Domestic Use of Apple Cider Vinegar Clean your home: Vinegar can help kill pathogens, including bacteria. So, if you're keen to move away from harsh cleaning products, its antibacterial properties make apple cider vinegar a great choice. Create an all-purpose cleaner by combining two cups of water with one cup of apple cider vinegar. This concoction can be used to clean your kitchen and bathroom, make your windows sparkle and, if combined with baking soda, even clean your drains. While the smell of vinegar lingers, it will fade as it dries. Not keen? Add a few drops of essential oil to make your blend fragrant. Wash fruit and vegetables: Remove unwanted pesticide residue on your fresh produce by washing it with a mix of water and apple cider vinegar. While it’s not known if this removes more pesticides than just water, washing food in vinegar does help remove bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. Make your hair shiny: Remove product build-up and add shine to your hair with an apple cider vinegar hair rinse. Mix one-part apple cider vinegar with one-part water, then pour over your hair. Leave it for a few minutes and then wash out with water. And don’t panic - the fish and chip smell will quickly fade. Use as a facial toner: Some people have success using apple cider vinegar as a facial toner to help combat acne. Dilute one-part apple cider vinegar with two parts water, even more if you have sensitive skin. Apply this mixture to freshly washed skin, before applying moisturiser. Natural deodorant: Applying diluted apple cider vinegar is used by some people as a homemade alternative to deodorant. You might want to experiment with this one at home first! Remove teeth stains: Pesky stain ruining your smile? Try mixing two parts apple cider vinegar with one-part baking soda to create a natural tooth-whitening paste. Apply to your teeth and then rinse with water. Be careful and avoid long-term use, due to its acidity it may encourage enamel decay. Bizarre uses of Apple Cider Vinegar Discourage fleas: Does Fido want in on the action? Not a problem. Spray one-part vinegar and one-part water on your pet’s fur and allow the mixture to saturate the hair. While it won't get rid of a current flea problem, it's said to discourage one as fleas don't like the smell or taste of vinegar (who knew they were picky eaters). Trap fruit flies: Fleas might turn their nose up at it, but fruit flies go mad for the stuff! So, if you’ve got an infestation, set out a cup of the vinegar with a squirt of dish soap (so any pesky flies sink). Boil a perfect egg: If your poached eggs are misshapen, bedraggled disappointments, add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the water. When exposed to acidic liquid, the whites’ firm up quicker which means they'll retain their shape better. Bake fluffy cakes: If your cakes would make Mary Berry wince, consider adding a dash of apple cider vinegar to the batter. The acid in the vinegar reacts with the baking soda in the mixture and produces carbon dioxide, these little gas bubbles help the cake rise as it bakes. Relieve a headache: Anecdotally, a compress made from a cold washcloth dipped in apple cider vinegar is said to ease headaches.