Where can I buy plain (distilled?) vinegar?

casper-

Since moving here from Canada almost 5 years ago, I've seen a bunch of different kind of vinegars at the supermarket: malt, apple cider, red wine, white wine, .... the list is endless.

But does anyone know where I can get plain, unflavoured vinegar? Basically this stuff: http://www.heinzvinegar.com/vinegars/whitevinegar.aspx

Help! Please

Alun

I'm pretty sure I've seen it in the supermarkets I go to mainly which would be Dunne's and Tesco. It doesn't seem very common though. I've got a big bottle I bought before I moved here, which I mainly use for cleaning purposes (cleaning mirrors and windows!) than cooking.

casper-

Alun wrote: »

I'm pretty sure I've seen it in the supermarkets I go to mainly which would be Dunne's and Tesco. It doesn't seem very common though. I've got a big bottle I bought before I moved here, which I mainly use for cleaning purposes (cleaning mirrors and windows!) than cooking.

Yeah, we use it for cleaning at home too But it's also just what I consider plain, basic vinegar and useful for a vinaigrette base.

Haven't seen it in Tesco at Clare Hall or Artane Castle; maybe I should try Dunne's.

The Hill Billy

It is widely available in any supermarkets that I'd go to (SuperValu, Dunne's, etc.). Sarson's is probably the most common brand.

casper-

Hill Billy wrote: »

It is widely available in any supermarkets that I'd go to (SuperValu, Dunne's, etc.). Sarson's is probably the most common brand.

Saron's, eh? Ok I will definitely check this weekend Thanks!

Btw, is it with all the 'other' vinegars or somewhere strange?

Alun

casper- wrote: »

Btw, is it with all the 'other' vinegars or somewhere strange?

Yes, usually with the other vinegars.

bonkey

AFAIK, Sarson's is a distiilled malt vinegar, which (if memory serves) isn't quite the same as so-called 'white' vinegar.

I could be completely wrong, though.

Alun

bonkey wrote: »

AFAIK, Sarson's is a distiilled malt vinegar, which (if memory serves) isn't quite the same as so-called 'white' vinegar.

I could be completely wrong, though.

You are They do both ...

http://www.premierfoods.co.uk/our-brands/sarsons_home.cfm

The distilled / white variety is the norm in Scottish fish and chip shops, so I guess they're catering for that market primarily.

The Hill Billy

bonkey wrote: »

AFAIK, Sarson's is a distiilled malt vinegar, which (if memory serves) isn't quite the same as so-called 'white' vinegar.

I could be completely wrong, though.

Sarson's do both. The distilled variety usually comes in a larger bottle without a 'pourer', clear glass bottle with a blue label. Available in the tear-drop bottle too (see below).

bonkey

The pic is if malt vinegar (on the left) and what I think is distilled malt vinegar (on the right).

White vinegar is something different again....but if what you're saying is correct, then they do that too, as a third offering?

The Hill Billy

The OP asked about "plain, unflavoured" vinegar, which is what distilled malt vinegar is. What is the difference between that & "white vinegar"?

Alun

As far as I know, malt vinegar and distilled/white vinegar are two totally different things made using two totally diferent processes. I can't imagine what "distilled malt vinegar" might be other than distilled vinegar with malt and/or colourings added to mimic true malt vinegar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinegar#White

EDIT: Maybe "distilled malt vinegar" is the "non-brewed condiment" referred to in the above article?

The Hill Billy

OP - Try the 'colourless' Sarson's Vinegar & see if it anything like the vinegar you had back home.

bonkey

As I understand it...

Distilled malt vinegar is exactly what it says. Its a distillate of malt vinegar (i.e. malt vinegar, which has then been distilled). The distillation process removes the colouring and changes the flavour (removes some of it, to be honest) . It is, therefore, a distillate of malt vinegar.

White vinegar is typically a distillate of ethyl alcohol. with water added. The ethyl alcohol in turn is typically made from corn or unmalted grain. It is, to a certain extent, little more than dilute acetic acid. It is, quite literally, the cheapest of the cheap.

As I said, though, I could be completely wrong.

casper-

Ok, just so we're all on the same page

distilled malt vinegar != white (plain, distilled) vinegar

Hill Billy's picture is malt vinegar and distilled malt vinegar.

Alun: are you sure that the distilled vinegar listed here (http://www.premierfoods.co.uk/our-brands/sarsons_home.cfm) is not distilled malt vinegar?

casper-

bonkey wrote: »

As I understand it...

Distilled malt vinegar is exactly what it says. Its a distillate of malt vinegar (i.e. malt vinegar, which has then been distilled). The distillation process removes the colouring and changes the flavour (removes some of it, to be honest) . It is, therefore, a distillate of malt vinegar.

White vinegar is typically a distillate of ethyl alcohol. with water added. The ethyl alcohol in turn is typically made from corn or unmalted grain. It is, to a certain extent, little more than dilute acetic acid. It is, quite literally, the cheapest of the cheap.

As I said, though, I could be completely wrong.

Yes - it's definitely cheap. But it's one of those things that when you acquire the taste for it as a child, it's hard to let go of. And unfortunately distilled malt vinegar doesn't taste (or smell) like 'white' vinegar.

Alun

casper- wrote: »

Ok, just so we're all on the same page

distilled malt vinegar != white (plain, distilled) vinegar

Hill Billy's picture is malt vinegar and distilled malt vinegar.

Alun: are you sure that the distilled vinegar listed here (http://www.premierfoods.co.uk/our-brands/sarsons_home.cfm) is not distilled malt vinegar?

You know, I'm actually not sure any more

It's all a bit confusing. I have to confess I always believed that white vinegar was always the "industrial" variety created by the process described in the wiki article, but it would appear I was wrong.

The white vinegar I have is definitely of this variety, and I bought it in Holland when I lived there. IIRC I bought it from the household cleaners section not the food one, so there's no way I'd use it as a foodstuff.

So, what's the difference between unadulterated malt vinegar and the distilled stuff, apart from the colour? I've never tasted it myself .. if I make a bog standard vinaigrette I always use white wine vinegar.

bonkey

Alun wrote: »

So, what's the difference between unadulterated malt vinegar and the distilled stuff, apart from the colour?

I find the distilled one to be slightly sharper, and to have a less "round" flavour. I guess you could say its less malty, but not entirely "malty-less".

I've never tasted it myself .. if I make a bog standard vinaigrette I always use white wine vinegar.

I use (undistilled) malt vinegar on chips....if my wife will share with me. She's a fiend for the stuff.

I used to use the distilled stuff for some dishes, mostly because its the taste I originally acquired, but mostly now I don't use it at all.

Mellor

White vinegar isn't common here at all,

The confusion in the earlier posts didn't really help.
In fact the title didn't help, the op asked for white (distilled) vinegar, they are two different things, made from maize and barley respectively


Malt is best imo anyway, although I never have white (as in actualt white, not distilled)

casper-

Mellor wrote: »

White vinegar isn't common here at all,

The confusion in the earlier posts didn't really help.
In fact the title didn't help, the op asked for white (distilled) vinegar, they are two different things, made from maize and barley respectively


Malt is best imo anyway, although I never have white (as in actualt white, not distilled)

I apologise for the confusion. I thought that what we called white (or white distilled) vinegar might just be called 'distilled' vinegar here. Again, I'll have to point you to the reference material for this stuff:

http://www.heinzvinegar.com/vinegars/whitevinegar.aspx

It's called white distilled vinegar. You are (I believe) still talking about malt and distilled malt vinegar.

Alun

Who would've thought that something as simple as vinegar could be so complicated, eh?

BTW I love the bit on that site about " ... made from sun-ripened grain and crystal clear water" ... are there any other kinds of grain? and who would want it if it was made from muddy ditch water?

bonkey

Alun wrote: »

BTW I love the bit on that site about " ... made from sun-ripened grain and crystal clear water" ... are there any other kinds of grain? and who would want it if it was made from muddy ditch water?

Ironically, I believe its mostly made from corn, which is generally considered to be distinct from grain !

WindSock

I'm confused reading this thread, but I have chef brand distilled malt vinegar in my cupboard to use on chipper chips when the chipper vinegar has evaporated. I got it in superquinns and it's clear.

rockbeer

Alun wrote: »

Who would've thought that something as simple as vinegar could be so complicated, eh?

And that's without even starting on balsamic. Or kombucha. Or cane vinegar... In fact vinegar clearly deserves its own forum

TequilaMockingBird

This complex subject has been covered over in the Sligo Forum!

Explanations and sources can be found in this link:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055240778&highlight=vinegar+canada&page=2

casper-

WindSock wrote: »

I'm confused reading this thread, but I have chef brand distilled malt vinegar in my cupboard to use on chipper chips when the chipper vinegar has evaporated. I got it in superquinns and it's clear.

Unfortunately it's still malt even though it's clear. I actually checked the Sarson's brand today and it's distilled malt vinegar too.

casper-

sueme wrote: »

This complex subject has been covered over in the Sligo Forum!

Explanations and sources can be found in this link:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055240778&highlight=vinegar+canada&page=2

I'm going to have to message Xiney -- I had the exact same problem finding proper pickles! Thanks for the link

Minder

OP - The vinegar you listed is a spirit vinegar, one difference from malt vinegars is that it contains a small amount of alcohol. Difficult to find any brand, but there is a brand called Safari, you may find in a South African speciality shop. Jabula.ie is an online seller that stock it. Stocklist here but you may be better off getting it in a shop first, just to make sure it is the same product.

rubadub

"malt" refers to grains that have been turned into sugar, ready to be brewed. If you have grains they go through a malting process, turning starch into sugar. Then the sugar is fermented, making alcohol. The the alcohol is made into vinegar, you can buy "mother of vinegar" to turn alcohol into vinegar.

The "malt" bit really is distinguishing the vinegar as being one made from grain, corn (maize), barley, rye, wheat etc. It could just as easily be called grain vinegar, like some vodkas might be referred to as a "grain spirit". It distinguished it from wine or cider vinegars.

Grain is a very cheap way to make alcohol, so I would expect most distilled vinegar is made from grains, and hence can be called malt vinegar. You could also get "white vinegar" made from wine, cider, anything really, if you made rhubarb wine it can be turned into white vinegar.

I have never seen undistilled vinegar on sale in supermarkets. Some chippers make their own vinegars, which can be undistilled. Some will blend their brewed vinegar with distilled vinegars.

Most brown vinegars in supermarkets will be distilled white vinegar with colour added, and maybe some unfermented malt to sweeten and colour it. This is similar to what white & brown rum are, unfermented molasses is added back to the distilled white rum to produce brown rum. "Proper" brown vinegar would get its colour from being aged, just like whiskey, distilled whiskey is a clear liquid.

Some asian shops can sell acetic acid cheap enough. But IME clear distilled vinegar made from malted grains is very common.

AmberWaives

Bump...

Has anyone been able to find ordinary plain "white distilled vinegar" in Ireland like the OP described?

http://www.vinegartips.com/ <-- this stuff

I have been looking for it for months and whenever I ask in the shops I get a strange look.

Thank you

casper-

Any polish / eastern european shop should do. Look for 'ocet' on the label. Note that it is probably 10% instead of the regular 5% so you will need to cut it with water.

AmberWaives

Cheers, Casper.

gnu

Hi,

I came across this thread when i was looking for info on where to buy white vinegar in bulk.

For those in Dublin, I tracked down 5 litre bottles for €5 in the Asia Market on Drury St. It's in a section at the back where they keep all sorts of products in bulk.

Seaneh

so much fuss about crap vinegar, madness.

I bet you are all looking for it to use as a cleaning product too?

And you can buy the stuff in most catering suppliers.

Brion

Sorry to bump this but I'm looking for distilled white vinegar (not malt!) and can't find it (tried Tesco and Dunnes but no joy). Anyone know where I can find some?

KindOfIrish

Brion wrote: »

Sorry to bump this but I'm looking for distilled white vinegar (not malt!) and can't find it (tried Tesco and Dunnes but no joy). Anyone know where I can find some?

You can find it in any shop selling Eastern European food.

Speedwell

Casper, I'm a Yank and I, too, found plain white vinegar difficult to source. Finally I figured out that I am looking for what is called, over here, "spirit vinegar". Dilute acetic acid could be produced anyhow, but the white vinegar you and I are used to is distilled from vegetable or fruit mash.

Believe it or not, I found it in an ethnic grocery. In Sligo it happens to be Lituanica, and I'm pretty sure you have one or more in Dublin, but I bet any shop that has Polish/Eastern European/Russian groceries will have it. You're looking for something labeled ACTO, Ocet, or Actas depending on which country it comes from. Cheap too

I found a five-litre jug of it at a store that caters mostly to small foodservice establishments, but it contains a little salt. That's perfectly fine when I'm cooking (usually) or descaling my kettle, but it just goes to show you must read the label.

Wabbit Ears

KindOfIrish wrote:

You can find it in any shop selling Eastern European food.

Ocet' is what he is looking for. It's 10% and should be watered down 5 to 1 for standard pickling.

Brion

I'm actually looking to use it in my washing machine. So is Ocet still good to use as is?

Speedwell

Brion wrote: »

I'm actually looking to use it in my washing machine. So is Ocet still good to use as is?

It should be fine. I checked a bottle that I had in my kitchen and it's just plain vinegar like I would use to clean things with.

StripedBoxers

Brion wrote: »

Sorry to bump this but I'm looking for distilled white vinegar (not malt!) and can't find it (tried Tesco and Dunnes but no joy). Anyone know where I can find some?

EuroGiant/€2 shops and Dealz sometimes have it it.

danjo-xx

Tesco have it listed on their website http://www.tesco.ie/groceries/Product/Details/?id=255602393



Chef Vinegar Distilled 284ML €1.19

Speedwell

danjo-xx wrote: »

Tesco have it listed on their website http://www.tesco.ie/groceries/Product/Details/?id=255602393



Chef Vinegar Distilled 284ML €1.19

That is malt vinegar.

Tree

Speedwell wrote: »

That is malt vinegar.

Surely any distilled vinegar is good enough, regardless of whether it's derived from malt or wine or whatever?

Speedwell

Tree wrote: »

Surely any distilled vinegar is good enough, regardless of whether it's derived from malt or wine or whatever?

Nope. Malt vinegar has a certain penetrating odor that spirit vinegar lacks. I mean, they both smell like vinegar, but malt vinegar is... Different. Stronger. More complex.

danjo-xx

I always thought the brown vinegar was Malt vinegar.

Speedwell

danjo-xx wrote: »

I always thought the brown vinegar was Malt vinegar.

Brown vinegar is either malt or cider vinegar, normally.

Mellor

danjo-xx wrote: »

I always thought the brown vinegar was Malt vinegar.

Brown vinegar is malt vinegar, the above is distilled malt vinegar. ie brown vinegar distilled into white, it retains a very mild malt flavour.
The white vinegar others are looking for would be plain white vinegar produced from (unmalted) grain or corn.

cooperdunlea

I basically have the same issue. I can find both clear and brown Malt vinegars in all shopd (Dunnes, Tesco, SuperValu, etc), but I can't find any just White vinegar for putting in the washing machine, etc.
So...what I want to know is the clear Malt vinegar the same as Distilled White vinegar??
If not, where can I buy the white vinegar here in Ireland?
Thanks!

The Hill Billy

I've never had any problem in finding distilled white vinegar in Irish supermarkets. Chef would be a common brand.

evolving_doors

Did you try Asian supermarkets?