From salad dressings to sprinkling on your fries, there’s nothing quite like vinegar. Today, I’ll be comparing two very different kinds of vinegar – malt and apple cider vinegar.
I’ll talk about where they come from, how they taste, what you can use them for in your cooking, and their benefits to help you decide which is right for you. So, let’s find out which vinegar comes out on top!
Comparing malt vinegar vs apple cider vinegar
Malt vinegar is a type of vinegar made from malted barley or other grains through a fermentation process. It has a strong, slightly sweet flavor and is commonly used in British cuisine, particularly for fish and chips.
Apple cider vinegar, on the other hand, is made from fermented apple juice and has a milder, fruity taste. It’s often used in various culinary and health applications due to its potential health benefits.
Malt vinegar | Apple cider vinegar | |
Source | Barley or other grains | Apples/apple cider |
Acidity (pH level) | 2.5 – 2.7 | 2 – 3 |
Color | Dark brown | Amber and cloudy |
Taste | Milder, lemony, malty, and sweet | Strong, tangy, slightly sweet |
Best cooking uses | Sauces, marinades, brining meat, and topping fish and chips | Salad dressings, sauces, marinades, and baking |
Nutritional value | Contains some vitamins and minerals | Contains some vitamins, minerals, and probiotics |
Differences between malt vinegar and apple cider vinegar
The main difference between malt vinegar and apple cider vinegar is their source ingredients: malt vinegar is made from malted barley and has a robust, slightly sweet flavor, while apple cider vinegar is derived from fermented apple juice, offering a milder, fruity taste with a hint of acidity.
Let’s break down their differences further…
Flavor and smell: Malt vinegar offers a deep, rich, and slightly sweet taste with a subtle nutty undertone. In contrast, apple cider vinegar has a tangy, fruity, and mildly sour flavor. Malt vinegar typically has a milder and less pungent aroma compared to the sharp, fruity scent of apple cider vinegar.
Color: Malt vinegar typically has a darker, brownish color, while apple cider vinegar is usually light amber or even pale gold in appearance.
Availability: Malt vinegar is more prevalent and readily available in regions like the United Kingdom and some parts of Europe. Apple cider vinegar is more widely available and has gained popularity worldwide.
Cooking and with malt vinegar vs apple cider vinegar
Malt vinegar’s bold flavor makes it an ideal choice for adding depth and tanginess to seafood and meat. It’s perfect for splashing over hot, crispy fish and chips, or for cooking steak, roasted potatoes, and malt vinegar-glazed chicken.
Apple cider vinegar’s mild, fruity profile makes it pretty versatile. It’s perfect for salad dressings, marinades, and even baking. Apple cider vinegar is also a popular health tonic. Try this ACV grape drink or 4 other recipes!
Can you substitute malt vinegar for apple cider vinegar?
If you’re thinking about swapping out apple cider vinegar for malt vinegar in your recipe, it’s totally doable, but keep in mind that you’re going to change up the flavor a bit.
Malt vinegar has this strong, malty, kind of sweet flavor, and it can be pretty bold. On the other hand, apple cider vinegar is milder and has a fruity tang. So, depending on what you’re making, this switch could actually give your dish a heartier, more savory kick, which can be awesome for things like marinades or dressings.
Nutrition: Malt vinegar vs apple cider vinegar
Both malt vinegar and apple cider vinegar contain acetic acid, which may aid in digestion and help control blood sugar levels. But they also have their own set of specific nutrients.
Malt vinegar often contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, including small quantities of potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
The best apple cider vinegar contains “the mother,” a colony of beneficial bacteria that may support gut health. Apple cider vinegar may also provide antioxidants and some vitamins like vitamin C and B-vitamins.
How to store malt vinegar and apple cider vinegar
Both malt vinegar and apple cider vinegar should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. It’s essential to keep their bottles tightly sealed to prevent air from entering, which can lead to the oxidation of the vinegar and potentially degrade its quality over time.
Properly sealed and stored, both types of vinegar have a long shelf life and can remain usable for several years. There’s generally no need to refrigerate these vinegars unless you prefer them chilled, but it won’t harm them if you do.
Malt vinegar vs apple cider vinegar: The ultimate verdict
Overall, apple cider vinegar is my top choice. In my experience, it’s slightly more versatile, more widely available, and has more potential benefits compared to malt vinegar. That said, when it comes to fish and chips, malt vinegar is a no-brainer! It’s got that full-bodied taste that goes best with seafood, meat, or other hearty dishes, whereas apple cider vinegar has a lighter taste that works well for salad dressings, pickling, or marinades.
FAQs
Yes, you can substitute malt vinegar for apple cider vinegar in most recipes, but be mindful of the differences in flavor. Malt vinegar has a stronger, more robust taste, so you may need to adjust the quantity or dilute it to match the recipe’s intended flavor.
The main differences between apple cider vinegar and malt vinegar lie in their flavor profiles, sources, and culinary uses. Apple cider vinegar has a mild, fruity flavor derived from fermented apples and is versatile in a wide range of recipes. In contrast, malt vinegar has a stronger, malted barley-based flavor, making it a staple in British cuisine and ideal for pickling and hearty dishes.
Malt vinegar is good in moderation as a condiment or flavoring, but it is not considered “good for you” in the sense of providing significant nutritional benefits; it primarily adds flavor to dishes.
If you’re out of apple cider vinegar, you can substitute it with other types of vinegar like white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or even malt vinegar, depending on the recipe and your flavor preferences. Each vinegar will bring its unique character to the dish, so adjust the quantity accordingly.