The Incredible History of and Uses for Vinegar

Vinegar has been around since the dawn of history. References to it can be found in writings of the world's first known civilization - the Sumerians.

Additional Apple Cider and Balsamic Vinegar Facts.

First and foremost, don't confuse natural vinegar with the man-made synthetic ethyl-alcohol vinegar. This unnatural imposter has zero nutrition value and this author does not recommend it for human consumption. Airborne bacteria known as "acetobacter aceti" create vinegar when they come into contact with liquids having less than 18% alcohol content.

The Sumerians (thought be the very first civilization) used vinegar as an anti-biotic, general tonic, condiment, detergent and preservative. As you read more about fine vinegars, you will discover a world where vinegar labels are read like fine wine labels.

Apple Cider Vinegar and It's Rich Balsamic Cousin Apple-cider vinegar is probably the best known natural vinegar. It is inexpensive and can be used in recipes and for the general purposes mentioned throughout this article. Even though all vinegars have numerous beneficial uses, not all natural vinegars are created equal. For hundreds of years, royalty has favored the many gourmet vinegars.

One of the best known gourmet vintages is balsamic vinegar.

First knowledge of this vinegar dates back to 1046 AD. Other earlier period documents reveal the birthplace of balsamic vinegar to be Modena, Italy. The past few years has seen an increase in interest for balsamic vinegar. This heightened interest is largely due to the creations of inventive chefs at upscale restaurants. Their use of balsamic vinegar in recipes has alerted millions of patrons to the savory tastes of this traditional vinegar.

The Many Beneficial Uses for Vinegar

1. Salad Dressing. The gourmet vinegars make a very fine salad dressing.
2. Mold Elimination. Prevent mold producing bacteria by wiping down jars of preserves and canned foods with vinegar.
3. Skin Burns. Apply ice cold vinegar as quickly as possible after the injury. It will also prevent burn blisters and diminish scarring.
4. Catsup/Condiment Preservative. The shelf life of your catsup and other condiments can be increased by adding 1 teaspoon of apple-cider vinegar for every 16 ounces.
5. Strengthen Sagging Cane Chairs: Sponge the chairs down with a hot solution of half apple-cider vinegar and half water. Place the chairs out in direct sunlight to dry.
6. Boiling Eggs. Add a teaspoon of apple-cider vinegar to the water to prevent egg-white from leaking out of cracked eggs.
7. Cooking Seafood. Give a freshly caught taste to canned fish and shrimp by adding a mixture of sherry and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.

This article covered brief information about the two most popular types of vinegar and their uses. There are many more varieties with different properties and flavors. The more you learn about the many wonderful uses for vinegar, the more you will see the necessity of adding it to your daily life and diet.