What Is Rice Vinegar and How Is It Made?

My dad considers himself to be a health guru. One day he called me up and said, “You should only be breathing through your nose!” No context, just that. He’s also one of those people who swears by a shot of apple cider vinegar every morning. I tried it once and, honestly, I’d rather eat dirt. But that doesn’t mean I won’t explore the wonderful world of vinegar in my kitchen. Today’s exploration: rice vinegar. What is rice vinegar? Is rice vinegar the same as rice wine vinegar? Here’s everything you need to know about rice vinegar.

What is rice vinegar?

What is rice vinegar made from? Take a guess. Did you say rice? How’d you know?! Nearly all vinegars start with some kind of alcohol; take red wine vinegar, for example. What do you think that’s made from? White wine? No, you fool! It’s red wine!

Many East Asian cultures have been brewing up rice wines for centuries, millennia even. Since they’ve perfected the rice wine, it only makes sense that they would also perfect the rice vinegar. Each country has their own varieties and uses, but overall, rice vinegar is used as a cooking ingredient, in dressings, and even as dips.

On the whole, East Asian rice vinegars are lower in acidity and have a milder flavor when compared to their Western counterparts.

How do you make rice vinegar?

The first step to making rice vinegar is to make rice wine. To do this, rice is cooked and then fermented in water. The fermenting agent breaks down the sugars in the rice to form alcohol.

This alcohol then goes through a second fermentation. This time, an acetic acid bacteria is introduced to the wine. That acetic acid is called the Mother of Vinegar. How Game of Thrones. The acetic acid bacteria produces what? Did you say acetic acid? Ok, you’re back on my good side. And that becomes vinegar!

Is rice vinegar the same as rice wine vinegar?

Yes, rice vinegar and rice wine vinegar are the same thing. Since rice wine is the intermediary step between the rice and the vinegar, some brands will put it on the label and, technically, they aren’t wrong. It would be the same thing if a traditional Western white vinegar label read “Grain Alcohol Vinegar.” Though that doesn’t sound nearly as appealing.

Can rice vinegar go bad?

The acidity in vinegar makes it very unlikely to spoil. However, keeping rice vinegar in your pantry for years on end can impact its flavor and freshness. Still, that degradation would take nearly five years to begin. So, if you unearth a bottle of pre-Pandemic rice vinegar on your shelves, it will probably be just fine.


About the Author

Luke Field

Luke Field is a writer and actor originally from Philadelphia. He was the former Head Writer of branded content at CollegeHumor and was also a contributing writer and actor to the CollegeHumor Originals cast. He has extensive improv and sketch stage experience, performing both at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater and with their Touring Company. In addition to writing, he also works as a Story Producer, most recently on season 4 of Accident, Suicide, or Murder on Oxygen. Keep your eyes peeled for his brief but impactful appearance as Kevin, the screaming security guard, in the upcoming feature The Disruptors, directed by Adam Frucci.

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