2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Rice vinegar is a sour-tasting liquid that is widely used in cooking. Rice vinegar is used for seasoning various types of dishes, but mostly fresh salads. It is made from fermented rice or rice wine and is especially popular in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. In different countries, in addition to being called by different names, the product looks different.
Characteristics of rice vinegar
Chinese rice vinegar is significantly stronger than that produced in Japan. Its color may vary, but is usually colored reddish to brown. Both Chinese and Japanese vinegar (especially the latter) have a sweeter and milder taste than vinegar produced in the West and therefore cannot be qualitatively replaced by it. Chinese rice vinegar is made from huangjiu-type rice wine.
Japanese rice vinegar is known as komezu or su. It is quite soft and pleasant. It has a significantly lower acetic acid content. It is whitish to pale yellow in color. It may contain sake and sugar. This type of vinegar is used to dull the strong smell of some types of fish and meat.
Korean rice vinegar is called micho, Ssal sikcho and others. It is preferred by Koreans because of its rich aroma and excellent nutritional composition. The acidic liquid is prepared from special types of rice, including brown rice.
Rice vinegar made in Vietnam is called dấm gạo or giấm gạo. Both sour and spicy notes are present in the Vietnamese variety.
Types of rice vinegar
The so-called white is known rice vinegar, which is a white or pale yellow liquid. It has a relatively higher acetic acid content than other types of Chinese vinegar, but still has a milder taste than the vinegar that Europeans know.
Also known as the so-called black rice vinegar, which is used in southern China. It is mostly prepared from a special variety of rice, but it can also contain components such as sorghum and millet. Black rice is characterized by a darker color and slightly smoky aroma.
There is another type of rice vinegar. It is red. It is darker than white rice vinegar, but lighter than its black equivalent. As you can guess, it is characterized by a reddish color and specific taste. It contains the fungus Monascus purpureus, which is said to help get rid of bad cholesterol.
History of rice vinegar
Although rice vinegar is one of the new products in European cuisine, Asians have been using this acidic substance for centuries. Once discovered, it is mostly used to store fish, as locals notice that it manages to dull the pungent odor of marine life. In ancient times, Japanese healers also used vinegar as a remedy against a wide range of diseases. Over time, it also becomes a means of flavoring salads and fresh produce.
Selection and storage of rice vinegar
Until years ago rice vinegar it was not very common in our country, but lately it has started to gain popularity. Today it can be found mostly in large food chains. Of course, its price is higher than that of wine or apple cider vinegar, but this is also due to its high quality and exoticism.
When purchasing the product, always check the expiration date, which must be written on the bottle label. Also check for the manufacturer's name. As for the storage of rice vinegar, it does not require much effort. It is enough to store it in a dark and cool place. Keep in mind that after opening the bottle, it should be kept in the refrigerator.
Cooking with rice vinegar
As it has already become clear, rice vinegar is preferred especially in Asian cuisine. For this reason, you can successfully apply it in all recipes borrowed from Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese cuisine. It is mostly used to taste fish and seafood such as crabs, octopuses, squid, mussels and others.
It is suitable for flavoring both fresh salads and dishes that require heat treatment (especially frying). It perfectly harmonizes the taste of cabbage, carrots, peppers, corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocados, seaweed, potatoes, rice, sprouts, bamboo, mushrooms. It becomes a must-have ingredient in making the perfect sushi.
Benefits of rice vinegar
For centuries rice vinegar is used in the fight against various painful conditions. Today, the healing properties of the acidic liquid are supported by numerous studies. For example, Japanese scientists have proven that rice vinegar has a good effect on blood pressure.
That is why it is recommended for people who suffer from hypertension and have not yet found a way to cope with the high values of their blood pressure. Another positive feature of vinegar has been discovered - it is clear that it also affects the level of glucose in the human body.
About ten years ago it was found that rice vinegar has antibacterial properties and is able to destroy bacteria responsible for gastrointestinal infections. A recent experiment showed that the consumption of Japanese rice vinegar affects tumors in the liver, reducing them. Studies have also shown that rice vinegar has a beneficial effect on the colon. Specialists are delighted with the substance for other reasons.
According to them, it lowers the levels of specific enzymes that adversely affect the cell walls of the liver. Thanks to the acidic liquid, the cells can last longer and do their job fully. Rice vinegar is especially useful for people with diabetes because it normalizes blood sugar levels.
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