Difference between rice wine vinegar and vinegar?

The main difference between rice wine vinegar and regular vinegar lies in their source of fermentation.

Here's a breakdown:

Rice Wine Vinegar:

* Source: Fermented rice wine (sake).

* Flavor: Mild, sweet, and slightly tangy with a hint of umami.

* Uses: Popular in Asian cuisine, especially Japanese and Chinese. Used for marinades, salad dressings, dipping sauces, and cooking.

Regular Vinegar:

* Source: Fermented fruit juices, most commonly grapes, apples, or malt.

* Flavor: Tart, acidic, and pungent.

* Uses: Widely used in western cuisine for pickling, salad dressings, sauces, and cleaning.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

| Feature | Rice Wine Vinegar | Regular Vinegar |

|---|---|---|

| Source | Fermented rice wine | Fermented fruit juice |

| Flavor | Mild, sweet, umami | Tart, acidic, pungent |

| Uses | Asian cuisine | Western cuisine |

| Acidity | Lower | Higher |

| Color | Light amber to pale yellow | Clear to light amber |

In short:

* Rice wine vinegar is a more delicate and subtle vinegar, perfect for Asian dishes and adding a touch of sweetness.

* Regular vinegar is a more robust and acidic vinegar, ideal for western cuisine and pickling.

You can substitute rice wine vinegar for regular vinegar in some dishes, but the flavor will be different. However, regular vinegar should not be used as a substitute for rice wine vinegar in dishes where the delicate flavor of rice wine vinegar is essential.