Vinegar question

[SandyM]

I did a search, and either I didn't dig deep enough, or I just feel like tormenting Gail, The Search Queen...... :D but I couldn't find the answer:

Is there a difference between rice vinegar and rice wine vinegar?

[Jewel]

...uh...one is made with wine and the other isn't maybe? :p

Seriously, I have never used Rice Wine Vinegar, but I use a LOT of Rice Vinegar because it's a much lighter flavor and blends so well. I'd be interested to know exactly how it's made in comparison, but I know there IS a difference.
Hey Gail!!! Any thoughts?? :D

[beacooker]

This doesn't conclusively answer the question, but I went to epicurious.com and did a search in the glossary section for rice vinegar, and got this definition:

There are Japanese as well as Chinese rice vinegars, both made from fermented rice, and both slightly milder than most Western vinegars. Chinese rice vinegar comes in three types: white (clear or pale amber), used mainly in SWEET-AND-SOUR dishes; red, a popular accompaniment for boiled or steamed crab; and black, used mainly as a table CONDIMENT. The almost colorless Japanese rice vinegar is used in a variety of Japanese preparations, including SUSHI rice and SUNOMONO (vinegared salads). Rice vinegar can be found in Asian markets and some supermarkets.

When I did a search on rice wine vinegar, I got no results back at all. Maybe that means they are the same thing???

[SandyM]

Thanks bea - I did a little more searching myself and came up with the following site:

http://www.foodsubs.com/Vinegars.html

I suspect they're one and the same. Either that, or when they say "rice vinegar" they omitted a word........

If someone has a rebuttal, I'd welcome it.....

[Beth]

I have also come to the conclusion that they are the same thing, althougt I think you find wine in the product name more often when it is "seasoned" or sweetened. Vinegar is a product of fermentation, as is wine.

[Gail]

Okay, Sandy--
Stop sending me on these wild goose chases. I'm sure there's somebody out there who has a definitive answer, but after an hour of searching, it isn't going to be me. Oh, I found out all sorts of stuff about rice vinegar-- that there's brown rice vinegar; white rice vinegar; (supposedly) red rice vinegar; that Chinese rice vinegar is sweet and dark while Japanese rice vinegar has a lighter color and is sweeter; that seasoned rice vinegar is also known as sushi vinegar (this I knew.) Found everything I ever wanted to know and more-- except for something, somewhere admitting the stuff is called by two names. Now, since both vinegar and wine have to go through a fermentation process, it seems logical that they are both the same thing, but doggone it, I wanted to find something definitive in print.

The goddess is displeased. :(

[Gail]

Originally posted by Gail
Okay, Sandy--
Stop sending me on these wild goose chases. I'm sure there's somebody out there who has a definitive answer, but after an hour of searching, it isn't going to be me. Oh, I found out all sorts of stuff about rice vinegar-- that there's brown rice vinegar; white rice vinegar; (supposedly) red rice vinegar; that Chinese rice vinegar is sweet and dark while Japanese rice vinegar has a lighter color and is sweeter; that seasoned rice vinegar is also known as sushi vinegar (this I knew.) Found everything I ever wanted to know and more-- except for something, somewhere admitting the stuff is called by two names. Now, since both vinegar and wine have to go through a fermentation process, it seems logical that they are both the same thing, but doggone it, I wanted to find something definitive in print.

The goddess is displeased. :(

Y'know, I was just about to close out an article I found on the subject, when I noticed the writer starts out talking about "rice wine vinegar," then lapses into referring only to "rice vinegar." Maybe this is purely wishing on my part, but I'm going to assume the author does that because they're the same thing. Just in case you're interested, here-- before I lose this forever-- is the article:

http://europe.cnn.com/FOOD/key.ingredient/rice.wine.vinegar/

The goddess has been appeased.

[SandyM]

My job is done. :D

Thanks Gail - you always come through. One of these days, though, I'm really gonna stump ya......

[SusanL]

I continue to enjoy the Gail/Sandy posts, keep them coming!! (Gail is incredible, isn't she?? Sandy, I love your signature, I have sent copies to friends but have listed you as the poster.)

[Gail]

Originally posted by SandyM
My job is done. :D

Thanks Gail - you always come through. One of these days, though, I'm really gonna stump ya......

Nah. I'll just pretend I'm off-line like I usually do... :)

[SandyM]

Originally posted by Gail


Nah. I'll just pretend I'm off-line like I usually do... :)

Me too......now that I've finally learned how! :cool: