Cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar have been used interchangeably for a very long time but are they the same? Cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar might not have any specific difference and knowing if they do can help determine what you do need and not to have it mixed up.
There has always been the belief that apple ciders are made with apples however this is not the case, all cider vinegar may not be apple cider.
Vinegar generally, no matter how it was formulated is an important household ingredient. Pretty hard not to be familiar with vinegar, it is simply a fermented combination of acetic acid and water. Vinegar can be from the sugar or salt of any plant liquids.
Cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar are not the same, you can simply classify them as organic and non-organic kinds of vinegar. These two have always been used interchangeably and they do mean the same according to the common method of usage but the method of fermentation is slightly different. Cider vinegar can be made from any fruit such as raspberry, strawberry, gooseberry juice, blackcurrant, and apple. While apple cider vinegar according to the name is made from apples.
However, note that all vinegar is not made the same way and some brands are known to include syrup, flavoring, or even starch.
Understanding the difference between cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar is not as complicated as it sounds. In most cases, they mean the same thing. But there is more to understanding cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar. Let’s look at the differences and similarities between apple cider vinegar and cider vinegar in this article.
What Is Cider Vinegar?
Cider vinegar is made from fermented fruit juice. This vinegar is often referred to as the main vinegar and it can be made from a variety of fermented grains and fruit bases.
Then it can be sweetened with ciders and fruit juices and you can use it in all sorts of recipes. Generally, the cider vinegar production process involves mixing vinegar or white wine vinegar with mashed fruits such as raspberry and covering it for a maximum of 5 days.
There is a lot of vinegar without an apple in them and this makes doesn’t make them less of cider vinegar. Some brands also make cider vinegar with a combination of fruits in them. Raspberry cider vinegar is one of the most popular types of vinegar and can be used just the way apple cider vinegar is used.
The term cider vinegar is just a specific way to label all kinds of vinegar. All vinegar is fermented with a combination of water and acetic acid. You can always check the label to help you decide what type of fruit or combination is used in fermenting the vinegar.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
As stated earlier, apple cider vinegar is formulated from crushed apples or a blend of apples and other fruits. Apple cider vinegar is made by crushing and fermenting apples into natural sugar alcohol and then the process of leaving it for a couple of days means adding bacteria to convert the alcohol into acetic acid. The fermented apple gives the vinegar a sour kind of taste which quite a lot of people hate.
Apple cider vinegar is a lot of people’s favorite type of vinegar and this is not because of its taste. It is supposedly believed to contain all the vinegar’s natural health benefits. Apple cider vinegar is popular for all its benefits and uses.
Some companies are known to also add sweetening, flavoring, and starch, or use concentrated apples to make up for the sour taste but this can limit the nutrients in it. It can also be diluted in water since the taste can be unpleasant to drink in its natural form.
Is Cider Vinegar The Same As Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar and cider vinegar are formulated the same way and in many cases, they can mean the same thing but comparing them might get a little murkier. To understand if these two are the same, you will have to explore the ways they are made.
Cider vinegar is made with the skin and most of the pulp is still intact which adds lots of heaviness to the finished product but apple cider is made by crushing apples and extracting the liquid.
Apple cider and cider vinegar can be said to be different when it comes to the fermenting process but the same when it comes to nutritional value and uses. Apple cider vinegar is a non-organic vinegar since it has to be pasteurized and processed into a clear amber liquid. While the organic one is the cider vinegar as it is non-pasteurized and ends up having a cloudy appearance.
If your vinegar is labeled ”apple cider vinegar” then it means it is made with fruits like cranberries or raspberries while the ones labeled ”varieties” are the ones that contain apples or a blend of apples. Both apple cider vinegar and cider vinegar can be used as household cleaners, deodorants, and topically medicinal uses.
The Difference Between Cider Vinegar And Apple Cider Vinegar
The main difference between cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar is the formulation process. Apple cider vinegar is formulated by extracting apple juice from crushed apples and fermentation using two processes, one into alcohol and the second forms the acetic acid. While Cider vinegar uses apple cider vinegar as the base and then fermented with a variety of grains or fruits.
Apple cider vinegar can simply be referred to as fermented apple juice and it is naturally acidic as well.
Both cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar are the same entity and are certain types of vinegar. Vinegar can be used in various recipes such as salad and marinade. Used as a food preservative as well.
Final Thoughts
The flavor of apple cider vinegar is also considered more intense than that of cider vinegar.
It can’t be consumed in large quantities either due to its potent flavor but can be used for other tropical and cleaning purposes. Apple cider vinegar is filtered to give you a thin liquid while cider vinegar has a more cloudy appearance.
So, we can agree that the difference between these two lies in the type of fruit.