What vinegar is made from?

Vinegar is typically made from the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. Ethanol is produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts. In the production of vinegar, ethanol-containing liquids, such as wine, beer, cider, or other fruit juices, are fermented by acetic acid bacteria to produce vinegar. During this process, the alcohol in the liquid is oxidized to acetic acid, which gives vinegar its sour taste.

The choice of starting material affects the final flavor and characteristics of the vinegar. For example, wine vinegar is made from wine, apple cider vinegar is made from apple cider, and balsamic vinegar is made from grape must. Different vinegars have distinct flavor profiles influenced by the raw materials used and any additional flavors introduced during the production process, such as herbs, spices, or fruits.