Apple cider vinegar is becoming increasingly popular these days, due to the many culinary benefits associated with it. From vinaigrettes to marinades to deglazing liquid, apple cider vinegar can do it all.
History Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used as a medicine as early as 400 BC, and was popularized by Hippocrates. It was also used in Africa and China as alternative medicines and the popularity of the vinegar was quite high once it caught on. Today, people still use apple cider for medicinal purposes, but we think that it is best utilized in the kitchen.
Types and Appearance Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is the fermented juice of crushed apples and it is available in two types:
1. Filtered apple cider vinegar: Filtered apple cider vinegar is a translucent liquid with a light brown or amber color. As the name suggests, this version has had the sediments removed.
2. Unfiltered apple cider vinegar: Unfiltered apple cider vinegar is murky or cloudy in appearance due to the presence of sediments and the ‘mother’ of apple cider vinegar, which are strands of protein present in organic apple cider vinegar.
Flavor Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, the unfiltered one, has a tart flavor and will leave a sort of unpleasant after taste in your mouth if ingested straight. It does have a strong apple flavor to it along with some acidity. It is recommended to only use undiluted apple cider vinegar in recipes.
Filtered apple cider vinegar, on the other hand, has a milder apple flavor to it and can be ingested straight if desired.
Culinary Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar
There are many ways you can try and use your apple cider vinegar in recipes to help enhance the taste of the whole dish. You can use apple cider vinegar as a salad dressing by mixing it with olive oil, honey, chili flakes, garlic powder, coriander, and salt. This automatically elevates the taste of the entire salad. Check this delicious lamb and chickpea salad, which features favorite apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar can be used as a glaze to make delicious dishes like honey garlic chicken. We love it for adding tanginess to an array of meats. Try it for yourself in this sweet and spicy pork chop recipe.
You can also make a delicious marinade for meat dishes using apple cider vinegar. We just love how apple cider vinegar elevates this New England BBQ steak recipe by taking sweet grocery store barbecue sauce and giving it a jolt of acidity.
Make some delicious bacon jam using apple cider vinegar and eat it spread on toast or crudites.
You can even use apple cider vinegar as a substitute for other acidic ingredients. So, if you run out of lemons, try adding some apple cider vinegar to give your dish a dash of acidity.
If you love making vinaigrette dressings to enhance the flavors of different dishes, then you will definitely love apple cider vinegar. Check out this recipe to create homemade vinaigrettes.
Storage
The shelf life of an unopened bottle of apple cider vinegar is about two years and the shelf life of an opened bottle is one year. Always make sure you keep a mental note of the dates mentioned on the label of the bottle. Keep your bottle of apple cider vinegar away from direct sunlight, preferably in a pantry or a cabinet. Like most vinegars, you do not have to refrigerate your bottle of apple cider vinegar.
Feature Image: Flickr user Veganbaking.net ( CC BY-SA 2.0 )
