A Guide to Vinegar

Vinegar has been around for thousands of year and is the result of a natural fermentation process. Vinegar can be made from almost any food that contains natural sugars. Yeast causes sugars to change into alcohol, and certain types of bacteria then cause a second fermentation, converting the alcohol into vinegar.

Type of Vinegar
Made From
Culinary Use
White Vinegar Grain based ethanol Pickling, preserving & cleaning
Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider Subtle, fruity flavour. Marinades, salad dressings & condiments.
Malt Vinegar Barley kernels Fish & chips; pickling.
Rice Vinegar Rice Salads, stir-fry dishes, salads and vegetables.
Balsamic Vinegar Grapes An Artisanal quality product for use on salads, vegetables, seasoning.
Wine Vinegar Red or white grapes Fruits, melon, salsa, berries

Did you know?

oils and vinegars
  • The word “vinegar” comes from the Old French “vin aigre” which means “sour wine”.
  • Traces of vinegar have been found in Egyptian urns dating back to approximately 3000 BC.
  • Try mixing vinegar, fruit juice and a small amount of detergent to trap the common fruit fly.
  • It’s been said that drinking a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar can help you get rid of the hiccups. Give it a try and let us know!
  • Authentic balsamic vinegar comes from Modena in Emilia-Romagna, Italy with only 3,000 gallons of authentic balsamic vinegar released annually.
  • Roslyn, South Dakota is home to the world’s only International Vinegar Museum.
  • Canada is the 4th highest importer of vinegar in the world ($22 million annually).
  • While potato chips have been around since 1853, salt & vinegar flavoured chips were first introduced in the 1950s by Joe “Spud” Murphy who owned the Irish company TAYTO.
  • Between 2002 and 2005 there was an approximately 1,162% increase in new vinegar products introduced worldwide!
  • Pearls melt in white distilled vinegar.