What's the difference between aged vinegar and balsamic vinegar?

The differences between aged vinegar and fragrant vinegar are: different raw materials, different brewing methods, different producing areas, different uses and different storage methods.

1, different raw materials

Mature vinegar generally takes grain as raw material, such as wheat, rice and corn. And fermented to make vinegar. Sweet vinegar is mostly made of grains and beans, and special spices and seasonings are added. Therefore, balsamic vinegar has stronger flavor and unique fragrance.

2. Different brewing methods

Old vinegar and fragrant vinegar are made in different ways. Mature vinegar is naturally fermented by acetic acid bacteria in distiller's grains, with long fermentation period, high acidity and light taste. In the brewing process, fragrant vinegar needs to be added with various seasonings, which is made through multiple processes, with short fermentation period and rich taste.

3. Different places of origin

Mature vinegar is mainly produced in Xinyang, Henan, China, Linyi, Shandong and Jiaxing, Zhejiang, while balsamic vinegar is produced in Pixian, Sichuan, China, Nanyang, Henan and Rucheng, Hunan. These producing areas have a profound vinegar culture and history, and most of the producing areas of fragrant vinegar are rural areas, which inherit the family-style production technology.

4. Different uses

Mature vinegar and balsamic vinegar have different uses in cooking. Mature vinegar has a light taste and is suitable for seasoning sweet and sour dishes, such as sweet and sour fish and hot and sour soup. Aromatic vinegar has a strong flavor, which is suitable for seasoning stews and cold dishes, and can also be used to mix tofu and other dishes.

5. Different storage methods

Old vinegar will not lose its flavor and efficacy after long-term storage, because it is rich in acetic acid, amino acids and vitamins. However, balsamic vinegar is volatile and fragrant, so it should be eaten as soon as possible and should not be stored for a long time. In addition, the taste of balsamic vinegar will change slowly over time.