White vinegar - what is it and what is it used for?

White vinegar - what is it? In this article we will try to answer in detail the question posed. In addition, we will tell you about what this product can be replaced in cooking and where it is still used.

General information about the product

White vinegar - what is it and how does it look? It is a product containing a large amount of acetic acid, which is obtained traditionally in the course of microbiological synthesis with the help of acetic acid bacteria found in edible alcohol-containing raw materials.

White vinegar is a colorless or slightly colored transparent liquid. As a rule, it has a specific flavor and a sharp-sour taste.

Types and composition of the product

Now you know what white vinegar is (what it is, we told above). Currently, two types of this product are used for household and culinary purposes:

• natural;
• synthetic.

The first contains acetic and other food acids (for example, wine-stone, lemon, apple, rice, reed, fruit, etc.), as well as esters, aldehydes and complex alcohols. The combination of these components creates a familiar pleasant aroma of natural vinegar.

As for the second product, such vinegar is obtained by diluting a synthetic, highly concentrated acetic acid, which does not have pleasant aromatic properties. However, a specific sharp smell comes from it.

How is white vinegar made?

What it is and what kinds of this product exist, we have already told. Now it's worth telling you about exactly how it is produced.

The raw material for obtaining natural vinegar can serve as ethyl rectified alcohol, as well as secondary products of its production. Also this product is often obtained from apple and other fruit juices. Among the chefs, vinegar white wine is particularly popular. It is made from fermented wine materials.

Alcohol is oxidized by acetic acid bacteria in special circulation apparatus or by a deep method.

As for synthetic vinegar, its main raw material, as already mentioned, is acetic acid, which is produced by chemical synthesis of natural gas, various by-products, and also as a result of dry distillation of wood.

It is believed that the synthetic white vinegar, the photo of which is presented in this article, adversely affects human health, and therefore it is undesirable to use it in cooking. This product is better to use for domestic purposes.

Varieties and use of vinegar

Depending on the use of this or that raw material, natural vinegars can be of the following types:

1. Wine. This product is obtained by fermenting wine. To do this, it is kept in oak barrels or in glass jars. How is white wine vinegar used? The application of this seasoning is different. However, most often it is added to various sauces.
2. Fruit. This kind of vinegar is made from sour fruit juices. As a rule, it is used for making various drinks, acidifying soup, borsch, salads, in particular, vinaigrette, creating mayonnaise, preserving vegetables, etc.
3. Fruit and berry. This kind of vinegar is made by fermenting fruit and berry wine. Its main difference from other herbs lies in unsurpassed fragrance. This product is added to soups, stewed vegetables, salads, stews, etc.
4. Malt. This vinegar is produced by fermenting beer wort. It is very popular in England and is present in almost all local dishes.
5. White. Table vinegar of this species is similar to malt. However, it is subjected to a more thorough cleaning. It serves as an excellent base for marinades and canning of various fruits.
6. Rice. This kind of vinegar is obtained from rice and used for dressing salads, cooking sauces, marinating meat.
7. Reed. According to the name, this vinegar is obtained from sugar cane. It is used for filling vegetable salads and other dishes.

Application of synthetic vinegar

White synthetic vinegar is often issued for natural, which often leads to disastrous consequences. After all, such a product is highly not recommended for use in food. Although the law is not prohibited.

Most often white synthetic vinegar is used for domestic purposes. It cleans well any surfaces from dirt, and also disinfects them. When using it, wear gloves. Otherwise, burns may appear on your skin.

To get a less concentrated white synthetic vinegar, it should be properly diluted. For this, ordinary water is added to it in different proportions. For food purposes, this product should not be used if its concentration exceeds 6%.

Where else do they use vinegar?

In addition to food and household purposes, vinegar is used for other needs. For example, in folk medicine, it is used in weak concentration to wipe the body of a person at elevated temperature. However, only a natural product should be used for this. Otherwise, you risk getting the strongest allergic reactions and burns.

Also, vinegar is often used in pharmaceutics and cosmetology. It is added to various medications, tinctures, as well as ointments, lotions, deodorants, toilet water. In addition, such a product is often used for the manufacture of household chemicals.

One can not help saying that white vinegar is used for non-traditional methods of treating animals and for acidifying the soil in agro-industry.

Vinegar replacement in cooking

As mentioned above, white wine vinegar is often used in cooking. How can I replace this product if it was not available? To do this, you can use other types of similar seasoning. For example, apple, cane, malt, fruit or fruit and berry vinegar. Also, some housewives use a product of synthetic origin. But for this it is recommended to dilute to 4-5%.

If you do not want to use synthetic vinegar, and wine or some other you do not have available, then you can use ordinary lemon juice. To do this, a small piece of fresh citrus should be strongly squeezed, and if necessary, and strain. This juice is good for filling salads, as well as adding it to various sauces, mayonnaises and other dishes.

In the case when you need to extinguish table baking soda, you can also use lemon juice. In the absence of it, this ingredient is well extinguished by such a sour-milk drink as kefir. However, this method is not suitable for all types of dough, but only for those that contain this dairy product.