Cider Vinegar

Cider vinegar is a flavourful vinegar made from cider, apple pulp or matured apple juice. The apple varieties chosen for cider vinegar are those that mature during autumn and winter, as these have higher levels of sugar than those grown at other times. The harvested apples are crushed and added to yeast and sugar, then left to ferment. As fermentation takes place, the sugar in the mixture converts into alcohol and then acetic acid, which produces the tart or sour flavour in the resulting vinegar. The final product has an acidity of approximately 5% to 6%.

Cider vinegar has a pale golden colour and a strong, distinctive taste of cider. It has a sharpness that lies mid-way between wine vinegar and malt vinegar, making it ideal for making pickles and fruit chutneys, especially those that contain apples, peaches or pears. It is also excellent when used in salad dressings, marinades and dips.