Apple Cider Vinegar is a condiment made from fermented apple juice. This is more than a condiment, though. Due to its supposed health benefits, apple cider is used in a lot of things from cooking, drinks, and even as a food preservative in some cases. To make apple cider vinegar, a starter culture made from bacteria and yeast is added to apple juice to start the fermentation process. Once alcohol has been produced, a second fermentation is added to convert the alcohol into acids which give the apple cider vinegar its signature sour taste.
Apple Cider Vinegar Trivia
- Apple cider vinegar has been long believed to provide a lot of health benefits.
- While there is no specific mention of apple cider vinegar, there have been records of the early Romans from 2,000 years ago consuming cider made from apples, which only follows that apple cider vinegar is not far behind.
- Apple cider vinegar, like any other vinegar, can be used as a cleaning agent due to its acidity.
- Apple cider vinegar is an excellent herbicide!
Apple Cider Vinegar Buying Guide
With the health craze surrounding apple cider vinegar, it is not uncommon to see a lot of producers trying to jump into the bandwagon.
That being said, not all apple cider vinegar are created equal. We’ve put together a short list of things to look out for when purchasing apple cider vinegar.
- Visually the apple cider vinegar should look a little murky. This murky appearance is caused by the “mother” or good bacteria that is added to the apple juice to ferment it to vinegar.
- Check the label for any “cloudifiers” that may be added and take this a warning sign. Real apple cider vinegar is naturally cloudy.
- Good apple cider vinegar is unpasteurized. Since it is vinegar, it should survive without pasteurization. The keyword to look for here is “raw”.
- Avoid cider vinegar that says “apple-flavored.” This legally means that this is vinegar that is apple flavored and not necessarily made with apples.
- Another thing to check out is the word “unfiltered.” If you’re buying apple cider vinegar for its supposed health benefits, then unfiltered is the best way to go.
- While this is not usually on the label, having the source of the apples indicated is a good sign of the authenticity of the apple cider vinegar’s maker.
Yes, you can find great apple cider vinegar in supermarkets, but your best bet in finding raw and unfiltered apple cider that’s made by artisans is to visit your local farmers’ markets. You’re sure to find producers there that specialize not only in apple cider vinegar, but a wide variety of fermented goods as well.
Apple Cider Vinegar Production & Farming in Texas
Well before its popularity as a health food supplement, apple cider vinegar was already being produced in Texas by apple orchard owners, homeowners, and other small businesses. This is popular in many dishes in Texas and is indispensable as an ingredient in many award-winning barbecue sauces. You won’t be at a loss for choices if you’re looking for artisan apple cider vinegar.
Pesticides, Additives, and Chemicals:
Some things to look out for when purchasing apple cider vinegar. As we mentioned earlier, not all apple cider vinegar are created equal. Some will contain synthetic acids and are just flavored by apples, or they may be using real apples but the process is sped up by the addition of synthetic acids or other vinegar.
Packaging:
Since apple cider vinegar is quite acidic, it can only be stored in glass bottles.
Enjoying Apple Cider Vinegar
If you’re consuming apple cider vinegar for health reasons, there are many sources out there that will give the recommended mixtures and dosages.
For culinary purposes, apple cider vinegar can be used as a dip, added to marinades, used in cooking, and almost any application that calls for any other vinegar.
Storage:
Store apple cider vinegar in a cool dark place for up to five years from the date of production. Just remember though that artisan apple cider vinegar is a living thing and it will evolve in taste and get stronger as time passes.
Make Apple Cider Vinegar BBQ Sauce:
One of our favorite uses for apple cider vinegar (aside from directly dipping stuff into them) is to make BBQ sauce.
Ingredients:
Two cups Apple Cider Vinegar
One and a half cups water
Half cup ketchup (raw if you have it)
Quarter cup brown sugar
Two Tablespoons Salt
One Tablespoon black pepper
One Tablespoon red pepper flakes
Step One:
Dump all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake until well you can’t see any sugar particles anymore. Store in the fridge for at least 24 hours before using it.
That’s it! Quick, simple, and delicious.
This can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks.
