Difference between Aromatic Vinegar and Aged Vinegar

Aromatic vinegar and aged vinegar are both traditional Chinese vinegars, but they have some significant differences in terms of ingredients, production process, taste and usage.

Aromatic vinegar

Definition : Aromatic vinegar usually refers to a type of vinegar with a rich aroma and a softer acidic flavor, the most famous example being Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar.

Ingredients : Mainly glutinous rice, sometimes with the addition of small amounts of wheat bran and rice husks.

Production process : Uses the traditional solid fermentation method, with multiple stages of fermentation and long-term storage, usually does not need a long aging period.

Taste : The taste of aromatic vinegar is softer, with moderate acidity, a noticeable rice scent and a slight sweetness.

Usage : Suitable for salads, dipping sauces and dressings, it is widely used in the cuisine of Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. For example: Zhenjiang meat salads, marinated vegetables, etc.

Aged Vinegar

Definition : Aged vinegar is a vinegar that has been fermented for a long time, with Shanxi Aged Vinegar (Shanxi Lao Chen Cu) being the most famous example.

Ingredients : Mainly sorghum, sometimes with the addition of small quantities of wheat, bran and legumes.

Production process : Uses solid fermentation method, with a long fermentation and aging period, usually needs at least three years of aging, and the longer the aging time, the richer the taste.

Taste : Aged vinegar has a strong taste, with a more pronounced acidity, and a noticeable aged aroma with layered flavors.

Use : Suitable for stews, boiled and fried, particularly suitable for dishes that require long cooking. For example: braised meat, beef stews, vinegar peanuts, etc.

Summary

• Ingredients : Aromatic vinegar is mostly made from glutinous rice, while aged vinegar is made from sorghum.
• Process : Aromatic vinegar has a relatively short fermentation time, while aged vinegar requires a long aging period.
• Taste : Aromatic vinegar has moderate acidity with sweetness and rice scent, while aged vinegar has stronger acidity and a rich aged aroma.
• Usage : Aromatic vinegar is mainly used for salads and dressings, while aged vinegar is mainly used for stews and stir-fries.

The choice of vinegar to use depends on the specific dish and personal preferences.