What Is Rice Vinegar?

Rice vinegar is a vinegar which is made from fermented rice or rice wine. It is made in China and Japan. Japanese rice vinegar is mellow and very mild. It ranges from colourless to pale yellow.

One type of Japanese vinegar is made from fermented rice. The other is made by adding rice vinegar to sake (Japanese word for 'alcoholic beverage'.).

Chinese rice vinegars are stronger. They vary in colour, from clear to various reds and browns. Both Japanese and Chinese vinegars are sweet and very mild.

There are various types of rice vinegar, such as white rice vinegar, black rice vinegar and red rice vinegar. Each have different uses and vary in colour and taste. White rice vinegar is similar to ordinary vinegar, though less acidic and milder in flavour. Black rice vinegar is dark in colour and has a deep, almost smokey flavour. Red rice vinegar is dark coloured, though lighter than black rice vinegar, and has a sweet taste.