Vinegar shortage is over! Here are ‘unconventional’ ways to use it…

CapeTalk's Pippa Hudson speaks to consumer journalist Wendy Knowler.

Listen below:

In the last few weeks, South Africa experienced a vinegar shortage, driven by a combination of global and domestic supply chain issues, interruptions to plant maintenance, power outages, rising raw material costs, and industrial challenges.

ALSO READ: Vinegar shortage hits South Africa as key manufacturer shuts down amid SARS investigation

Knowler takes the opportunity to teach about vinegar and to explain how easy it is to make your own.

How vinegars are made... 

Vinegar (also known as 'sour wine') is made through a two-step fermentation process.

First, yeast converts sugars from a source like fruits or grains into alcohol. Then, acetic acid bacteria convert the alcohol into acetic acid, the key component of vinegar.

Various vinegars are then made using base ingredients such as fruits, grains or rice, which influence the final flavour. For example, apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apple juice, while balsamic vinegar is made by crushing grapes, including the seeds and stems, to create a 'must', which is a thick syrup using a lengthy process called the solera method, which makes it expensive.

Imitation vinegar...

Imitation vinegar is a cheaper, synthetic product primarily composed of acetic acid and water, created as an alternative to naturally fermented vinegar.

It's often used for cooking, cleaning, and pickling, providing a sharp, tangy flavour. While chemically identical to fermented vinegar in terms of acetic acid composition, it lacks the natural trace elements and nutrients found in fermented varieties. 

There is no fermentation process in imitation vinegar, and imitation variants should be labelled as 'imitation vinegar', according to food label standards.

Use vinegar for more than cooking:

• Clean microwaves: equal parts water and vinegar cleans grime and stubborn stains
• Unblock drains: bicarbonate of soda + white wine vinegar = fizzy cleaning
• Clean washing machines: add vinegar to the drum and bicarbonate of soda to the fabric softener dispenser to clean and neutralise odours
• Clean air fryers - vinegar + boiling water + air fryer's highest heat for five minutes = clean
• Kill moss and weeds growing on the paving
• Clean greasy dishes when combined with dishwashing liquid and hot water. This also cleans tough stains on counters, shower doors, and toilets - it also reduces odour
• Clean tiles and laminated floors when mixed with hot water
• As an alternative to fabric softener
• To ease and treat stings from jellyfish, wasps, and spider bites
• Three tablespoons of white vinegar + 750ml of water can be used to spray plants or growing vegetables in a garden
• Dishwasher cleaner: freeze vinegar in ice cube trays with lemon peels, then run them through your disposal to clean and freshen
• Furniture reviver: Mix vinegar and olive oil (1:1) for a DIY wood polish that restores shine and masks scratches
• Ant deterrent: Spray vinegar around doors, windowsills, or anywhere you see ants. It disrupts their scent trails
• Egg poaching: Add a splash of vinegar to water to help egg whites firm up faster when poaching.
• Meat tenderiser: Use vinegar in marinades to break down tough fibres in meat (especially cuts like flank or skirt steak)
• Sunburn soother: Add a cup of vinegar to a lukewarm bath to relieve sunburned skin
• Foot deodoriser/soak: Soak feet in a vinegar-water mix to reduce odour, soften calluses, and treat minor fungal issues
• Neutralise skunk: combine vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap to remove skunk odour from pets or clothing
• Sticker/label remover: Soak sticky residue in vinegar, then scrape it off easily

How to make vinegar:

First, you need a 'mother' recipe.

The 'mother' or 'scoby' recipe converts alcohol into vinegar. When made, it resembles a gloopy jelly-like disc of cellulose.

1. Pour raw apple cider or diluted red wine into a glass container using a 1:1 ratio with a quarter of raw, unfiltered vinegar, which you can find at a health shop (look for 'cloudy sediment')
2. Cover the container with any breathable cloth, like a cheesecloth. 
3. Store it in a warm, dark place that's between 20°C and 30°C for two to eight weeks.
4. The jelly-like disc will form on the surface - you can use pieces of it to flavour as you wish and use it to dress a salad or in any of the ways mentioned above. 

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.