Cider vinegar

Cider vinegar is the sharp, fruit-scented vinegar made by fermenting cider or apple wine a second time, converting its alcohol into acetic acid. It is a beloved table vinegar in the United States and in the apple regions of Europe, where it seasons salads, pickles, and chutneys. Makers start with sound cider — off-flavours in the base become off-flavours in the vinegar — and the acetification step demands oxygen and the right bacteria. Quality is judged on acidity, clarity, and that characteristic apple note, with unpasteurized artisan versions prized for their live character.