What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Rice wine and rice vinegar are staples of Asian cooking, especially as it pertains to Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese cuisines. Countries such as India, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand, to name just a few, also feature some sort of rice wine as part of their culinary traditions. Each features its own versions which vary based on the type of rice and the technique used to create it.

But this can all get confusing in a hurry. What is the difference between rice wine vs. rice vinegar? And what about rice vinegar vs. the enigmatic rice wine vinegar? Is that one wine or vinegar? We'll get to all of that. But before we do, it's worth remembering that vinegar is made from wine, and both wine and vinegar are produced by a process called fermentation.

What Is Rice Vinegar?

Rice wine vinegar and rice vinegar refer to the same thing. Rice wine vinegar is not wine; nor is it rice wine.

The process for making rice wine vinegar (which we'll refer to as rice vinegar, just to keep it simpler) starts with alcohol and the addition of different organisms, called acetobacters. They convert the alcohol into acetic acid, made by fermenting the sugars in rice into alcohol, and then into acetic acid to make the vinegar. It has a mild, less acidic taste than white distilled vinegar, and is definitely a little sweeter. It can be used in this udon noodle soup recipe or a Korean cold noodle soup, but it does especially well in salad dressings, and as an ingredient in sauces where it lends a bright flavor. Rice vinegar is great in this classic daikon and cucumber sunomono salad, and in the dressing for this Chinese chicken salad.

Rice vinegar can also come seasoned, which means it's typically fortified with salt and sugar. This product is used extensively in Japanese cooking, most notably in the making of rice for sushi. Rice vinegars can be used in myriad ways, often depending on their color; Chinese cuisine features black, red, and white vinegars, whose flavors vary.

What is Rice Wine?

Rice wine is produced from fermented glutinous rice, in which sugars are transformed into alcohol thanks to the presence of yeast. Rice wine is used in a variety of Asian cuisines, especially Chinese, where Shaoxing wine is very popular. Rice wine is prized for its ability to add sweetness to marinades and a depth of flavor to sauces that is hard to mimic using other ingredients.

When the grain in question is rice, you get rice wine and, depending on the variety of rice (and possibly other ingredients) you start with, how long it's aged, and whether additional distillation takes place, the resulting rice wine can be mild or strong, with a color that ranges from pale yellow to reddish-brown. Use rice wine in Chinese chicken stock, to add sweetness to shumai dumplings, or in a starring role in stir-fry chicken in rice wine.

Rice Wine vs. Rice Vinegar

Perhaps the easiest way to remember the difference is that rice wine is something you could potentially drink, because it's sweet; rice vinegar would make the sides of your mouth curl in if you drank it straight, as it is too acidic. Use rice wine in dishes where you want to lend sweetness and depth of flavor. Use rice vinegar when you want to add some acidity and a touch of mild sweetness, as in salad dressings and marinades.

Rice Wine Vinegar vs. Mirin

Rice vinegar is also sometimes confused with a popular ingredient from Japan, mirin, which is the most common cooking wine (also made from rice) and is not to be confused with sake, the most common drinking wine.

Mirin is a relatively sweet, comparatively low alcohol-content (14 percent) wine that happens to be one of the ingredients in teriyaki sauce. Kikkoman, maker of soy sauce, produces the most ubiquitous version of mirin available in North America, which is used in making all kinds of soups (including ramen), marinades, and glazes; it is helpful in tenderizing meat. It pairs especially well with fish, and works in buta no kanuni, Japanese braised pork belly.

Substitutions for Rice Vinegar and Rice Wine

If you need a rice wine substitute, you can safely use dry sherry or even a dry white wine. There are lots of easy vinegar substitutes if you find you're out of rice vinegar, try apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar; for every tablespoon of rice vinegar, sub the same amount, plus 1/4 teaspoon sugar of either white wine or apple cider vinegar.

What is Rice Vinegar?

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Speaking of vinegar at home, you must have heard of Mizkan vinegar, right?

It is no exaggeration to say that we hold 90% of the household vinegar share.

This vinegar is so-called grain vinegar, and it is almost always placed in supermarkets. Rice vinegar, which has a packaging similar to grain vinegar, may have been familiar to you.

However, when asked if they have actually used it, many people would say that they have never used it.

By the way, I have a bitter memory that I accidentally bought rice vinegar, and my parents sent me to purchase grain vinegar again.

This time, we will focus on rice vinegar and introduce information such as its efficacy, recipes using rice vinegar, and how to use it.

Content List

  • Five Health Benefits Brought by Rice Vinegar
  • What is the Difference Between Rice Vinegar and Grain Vinegar?
  • How to Eat Rice Vinegar Deliciously
  • Q & A About Rice Vinegar
  • Recommended Rice Vinegar

Five Health Benefits Brought by Rice Vinegar

It is said that white rice contains only a small amount of B vitamins and is not very nutritious.

However, when white rice is fermented and processed into vinegar, 15 amino acids and more than 70 organic acids are produced.

In particular, recent studies have revealed that rice vinegar contains a large amount of citric acid and has high health effects.

Health Benefit 1 Diet effect

Originally, it is said that vinegar has a dieting effect, also no exception in rice vinegar. The amino acids and citric acid components contained in vinegar help burn fat, and it is said that the effects of dieting are high due to these factors.

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Health Benefit 2 Fatigue recovery effect

After exercising or when you are tired from work, lactic acid probably accumulates in your body, making your body acidic. It is said that the abundant amount of citric acid contained in moromi vinegar decomposes lactic acid and sugars, changing the acidified body to alkaline and recovering from fatigue.

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Health Benefit 3 Preventive effect of kidney stone

Rice vinegar contains a high concentration of citric acid, which inhibits the growth of kidney stones. Kidney stones are said to be common in men over the age of 40, but it is said that drinking rice vinegar has a positive effect on prevention.

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Health Benefit 4 Improve blood circulation and improve stiff shoulder etc.

Rice vinegar is said to have the effect of making it easier for muddy blood, which causes arteriosclerosis, to flow cleanly. This is expected to effectively prevent and improve diseases caused by blood flow, such as back pain and stiff shoulders.

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Health Benefit 5 Hypertension prevention

Vinegar can help prevent high blood pressure. Although it does not have an immediate effect, it is expected to improve the constitution of hypertension by continuing to consume it.

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

What is the Difference Between Rice Vinegar and Grain Vinegar?

Rice vinegar and grain vinegar are both product names that you often see in supermarkets, but what exactly are the differences?

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Grain vinegar

As the name implies, grain vinegar is vinegar made from grains (rice, wheat, sake lees, corn, etc.). The vinegar from Mizkan, a major vinegar maker, is also grain vinegar, and you may have seen it at home once. The price range is reasonable, and it is characterized by refreshing acidity and a slight vinegar scent. It has a variety of uses and is helpful in Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine.

Rice vinegar

Unlike grain vinegar, rice vinegar is vinegar made by brewing only rice as the main ingredient. Its taste is mellow, and rice’s sweetness, umami, and flavor make it a living vinegar. In the past, acetic acid was strong and wasn’t easy to use, but it seems that it has become easier to use in ordinary households due to improvements in the manufacturer.

It is said that this rice vinegar and sushi rice go best with each other, and most professional sushi chefs use rice vinegar. It seems that each craftsman has his own personality by adding sugar, salt, and original seasonings together with rice vinegar. Because the raw material is rice, it is also characteristic that many of them are made in Japan.

Proper use of rice vinegar and grain vinegar

Basically, I think you should use it correctly according to your preference. Grain vinegar has a simple and refreshing taste with no peculiarity to be used for anything. Rice vinegar is said to be compatible with Japanese food. The taste can be tightened by combining vinegar, sushi vinegar, or the hidden flavor of simmered dishes.
For the differences between rice vinegar and white vinegars, check our articles below:

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How to Eat Rice Vinegar Deliciously

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Like grain vinegar, rice vinegar has a little strong acetic acid, so it is not suitable for drinking. It is best to mix it with food and eat it.

Here, we will introduce recipes using rice vinegar.

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Rice Vinegar Dressing

It is a simple dressing recipe using rice vinegar. You can enjoy a different taste than the recipe using the usual vinegar.

  • 2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Oil (salad oil)
  • 1/4 tbsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Sugar
  • 2 tsp Soy sauce

  • Mix rice vinegar, oil and soy sauce.

  • Add salt and sugar, melt together, and it is completed.

  • Pour the rice vinegar dressing on your favorite salad and dishes!

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Red Shiso Juice (with Organic Rice Vinegar and Black Sugar)

Shiso is perilla leaves used in many Japanese foods, such as umeboshi, cold noodle dishes, and cold tofu. The red shiso or red perilla leaves can also be made to healthy, fresh, and tasty juice. Not too acidic, not too sweet, mellow flavoured healthy juice.

  • 400 g Red shiso leaves (red perilla leaves)
  • 250 ml Organic rice vinegar
  • 1 cup Black sugar
  • 1.5 litre Water

  • Cut the stem of the shiso and take only the leaves, wash them repeatedly with clean water and then drain the water.

  • Put approx. 1.5 L of water in a pot made from other than aluminum, then boil the water.

  • Add 1 cup of organic rice vinegar in the pot, then add red shiso, and boil them for about 5 minutes.

  • Take the red shiso leaves. Put it in a strainer, then squeeze it with chopsticks, ladle, etc., but do not touch with hand.

  • Add a cup of black sugar in the pot and reboil it, skim off the scum (froth or foam that floats on the surface of liquid) if there are any.

  • If you see the heat (steam-like air) coming, take the bottle to store the juice.

  • Disinfect the bottle by spreading a small amount of rice vinegar to the inner lid and spout.

  • When it cools down, keep it refrigerated.

  • You can drink it immediately as it is. But if the concentration is too thick for you, you can add water and ice.

  1. Because this is using vinegar, do not use aluminum pot. Since vinegar is added in from the beginning, the red colour will remain beautifully even if the shiso leaves are taken from the water.
  2. Because of if you use ordinary vinegar or citric acid, and white sugar, the juice won't turn out nicely, please use organic rice vinegar and black sugar.

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Shrimp Relish

A delicious shrimp relish which is great for your favorite dim sum and other delicious foods!

  • 125 ml Peanut oil
  • 15 cloves Garlic finely chopped (minced)
  • 5 pieces Bird's eye chillies
  • ½ inch Dried shrimp paste (blachen) (or 1 cm)
  • 250 g Dried prawns (shrimp)
  • 125 ml sesame oil
  • 50 g Chopped driedspring onions (scallions)
  • 125 ml Red rice vinegar you can use the white one too
  • 2 teaspoon Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce

  • Heat the peanut oil and stir-fry the garlic, chili, and shrimp paste until the garlic softens. Then allow to cool. Combine the dried prawns with the sesame oil.

  • Stir the dried spring onions and the chili-and-garlic mixture. Add the vinegar and fish sauce.

  • Seal in an airtight jar. Serve as an accompaniment to savoury dishes.

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Lightly Pickled Cucumber and Eggplant

Easy pickle recipe using rice vinegar. It is convenient when you want to eat cucumber and eggplant easily.

  • 1 piece Cucumber
  • 1 piece Eggplant
  • ½ piece Red chili pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Sesame Oil
  • 3 tbsp Soup stock
  • 1 tbsp Rice vinegar

  • Cut the cucumber and eggplant in one-bite size.

  • Put cucumbers and all seasoning in plastic bags, tie the plastic's mouth so that the air in vinyl can escape, and pickle them for 15 to 30 minutes.

  • When they had pickled, then it's complete. This is a simple and convenient recipe when you want to eat pickled cucumber and eggplant easily.

What is the difference between vinegar and rice vinegar

Chirashi Sushi

Chirashi Sushi or pronounced Chirashizushi in Japanese (ちらし寿司, literally meaning "scattered sushi") is one kind of sushi that is served in a bowl and there are variety of raw fish and vegetable garnishes on top of it.

Ingredients

  • Crab Proper amount, to your liking
  • 2 tbsp Salmon roe dipped in soy souce/shoyu
  • 2 Eggs
  • Mitsuba (Parsley; East Asian wildparsley) Proper amount, to your liking

  • When the rice is finished cooked, mix the "mixed vinegar ingredients" and make sushi rice.

  • Cut the crab into one-bite sized pieces.

  • Cook the eggs, cut them into small pieces resemble string.

  • Mix the "ingredients" with "mixed vinegar ingedients". When they are all mixed, then it's complete.

  • Enjoy your chirashizushi by yourself, with families, or with your beloved ones!

You can modify the ingredients used for Chirashi Sushi by adding shrimp, salmon fish, tuna fish, or your other favorite ingredients that's suitable for sushi!

Q & A about Rice Vinegar

I would like to drink undiluted rice vinegar for health and beauty. Is it okay?Rice vinegar has a slightly tart solid acid component, so it may not be easy to drink the undiluted solution as it is. If you want to incorporate rice vinegar into your daily life, it is best to put it in a dressing or vinegar dish and eat it with other ingredients.

I heard that rice vinegar is not good if you drink too much. Is it true?Vinegar is acidic and can hurt your stomach if you drink it on an empty stomach. It is said that about 30 ml is enough for daily use. Also, if the vinegar component remains in your mouth, it may dissolve the enamel of your teeth, so be sure to brush your teeth after drinking.

Rice vinegar is not only used as a seasoning for Japanese dishes, but its health benefits have been attracting attention in recent years. Here, we will introduce the recommended rice vinegar handled by Kawashimaya.

You can also check our other vinegar & rice vinegar products here.

Can I substitute regular vinegar for rice vinegar?

Distilled white vinegar may not have the same flavor as rice vinegar but can be a practical last-minute substitute.

Which is better rice vinegar or white vinegar?

Rice vinegar can be used for cleaning, but white vinegar is preferred due to its higher acidic content and lower sugar content. Rice vinegar has a tendency to leave a residue that white vinegar does not. Both vinegars are used for culinary purposes, but rice vinegar is used more when a sweeter flavor profile is needed.