Difference between Aromatic Vinegar and Aged Vinegar
- by trovasia
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.