Vinegar is any liquid that contains both water and acetic acid. Malt vinegar is a popular and widely used kind of vinegar. A versatile condiment used for flavouring and enhancing food taste. It has a softer, sweeter, and more nuanced taste than other kinds of vinegar.
How Is It Made?
Vinegar is made through a double fermentation process; the first is alcoholic fermentation, and the second is the oxidation of alcohol by acetic bacteria. The double fermentation process also forms malt vinegar.
First, malt is produced by germinating and drying barley grains (a cereal grain). It turns the starch of grain into maltose. Further, it is brewed into ale (alcohol).
In the second fermentation process, the ale turns into vinegar. Lastly, it is aged for several months for getting its strong and sweet flavor.
Note – As malt vinegar is produced from malted barley, it contains traces of grains in it. Grains are a source of gluten, a name for proteins. So, people who have celiac disease should avoid using it.
Varieties Of Malt Vinegar
You can find different varieties of this vinegar in the market. These include light and dark and distilled malt vinegar.
- Distilled malt vinegar is also termed known as spirit vinegar. It is colorless and has a sharp taste or flavor and is mostly used for pickling because it is clear in color. When you pickle food, you want to maintain the original color and appearance of the food. In this regard, distilled vinegar is a great help to keep the natural white color of food such as onion, cucumber, or pears.
- Dark malt vinegar is also referred to as brown vinegar. It has dark brown color and stronger flavor than light vinegar plus takes its brown color from caramel which is added to it. In addition, it is commonly used as a seasoning for the famous English food “fish and chips”.
- Light malt vinegar is in pale amber, having a mild flavor. You can use it for various foods where less acetic or light flavor is required.
Malt Vinegar Uses
Here you can check a variety of uses of malt vinegar:
1. Pickling
This vinegar is great for pickling because of its tart acetic elements. For instance, this vinegar is often used for ‘onion pickling’. It seals the color and the flavors of the vegetables being pickled.
2. Topping
It is widely used as a traditional seasoning or topping for the famous fish and chips in the United Kingdom and Canada. They are just drizzling it on the fish and chips. You can mix fish with malt vinegar and sprinkle it while baking or frying.
3. Salad dressing
Take malt vinegar and olive in equal portions (1 tablespoon) and sprinkle them over your salad. This will make the salad more delicious with a fresh look.
Why Distilled White Vinegar Is Better Than Malt Vinegar?
White vinegar is a purified vinegar means it contains only acid and water. On the contrary, this vinegar is made from malting barley, a cereal grain. White vinegar is colorless with a strong, crisp taste, while malt vinegar is mostly brown, having a sweet and mild flavor.
Vinegar Substitute
You have run out of it and don’t know what to use in place of it? In case you do not have it, you can use these as the best substitutes for malt vinegar:
- Lemon: lemon is not as strong as vinegar, but you can use it in drinks, meat, fried recipes, baked items, and preservatives.
- Apple cider vinegar: The most subtle replacement for vinegar is apple cider vinegar or cider vinegar. Its flavor is mild and fruity. It can be used in salad dressings, marinades, chutneys, pickles, and sauces. It is the best option for those who avoid vinegar because it contains gluten and is the upcoming next article!
- Balsamic vinegar: It has a sweet to sour flavor and many health benefits. You can use it for salad dressings, sauces, marinades, and fresh fruits.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, malt vinegar has become popular for its mild, sweet taste. It is mostly used for salad dressings, food seasoning, marinades, fish, steak, etc. Many other alternatives are available in the market, but nothing lessens its usage and worth.
With this vinegar, you can taste this delicious recipe:
These recipes go best with it:
