Rice vinegar has a long tradition in Asian cuisine and refines numerous dishes there. Everything about its use, tips and how to easily replace it.

Mild Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar is used in Asia to refine rice dishes. It is traditionally made from Japanese rice (urumai). This is steamed and enriched with yeast bacteria and koji spores to start a fermentation process. Finally, vinegar bacteria are added. Rice vinegar has a much milder taste than our native types of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, and only contains three to four percent acetic acid.

Application of rice vinegar

In addition to the clear rice vinegar, there is also black rice vinegar, which has a slightly malty taste and is reminiscent of soy sauce. This is particularly suitable for refining spicy wok dishes. Red rice vinegar, which is particularly good with dips, is also a little less common on the market

Rice vinegar is best known as a seasoning for Asian rice dishes. It gives dishes a typical sweet and sour to hot aroma. Its uses are numerous:
As a traditional condiment for sushi rice
For refining dips and sweet and sour sauces and soups
For marinating
As a dip for Chinese dumplings, tofu dishes or stir-fried vegetables.
For refining Asian wok dishes.
For seasoning spicy dishes (especially red rice vinegar).
In addition to its taste benefits, rice vinegar is also used in Asia as a natural remedy for the body. Like our local apple cider vinegar, it is said to have a detoxifying and digestive effect. It is said to stimulate the appetite and transport toxins out of the body as part of detoxification cures. So far, however, there is no scientific evidence of this.

Substitute for rice vinegar

You can now buy the clear rice vinegar in particular in any well-stocked supermarket or in Asian specialist shops. If you prefer to buy regional groceries, you can also substitute the rice vinegar for taste:
Mix equal parts white wine and apple cider vinegar together. A few drops of light balsamic vinegar in the rice water are also reminiscent of Japanese rice vinegar. If you want to avoid alcohol, you can dilute the apple cider vinegar with the same amount of water.

Trend food sushi – danger for fish stocks

Sushi has become a popular trend dish worldwide in recent years. What is often easily forgotten – for classic sushi you need fish. But not only this trend, but also the worldwide increasing demand for food and the fishing industry have the worldwide fish stocks

When enjoying sushi, always consider where the ingredients come from. There are delicious vegan and vegetarian ways to make sushi, for example with pumpkin, organic eggs or cucumber. If you don’t want to do without fish, find out in advance which species are not yet threatened. Always buy organic fish whenever possible.