Vinegar

Red or white wine/sherry vinegar is used in cooking and can be used raw in salad dressings. It comes in budget forms or can be aged in barrels. Different recipes call for different vinegars so do use the type recommended for each recipe.

Malt vinegar is made from malt, brewed and allowed to sour. Use in curries and some other savoury dishes. While ideal for pickling and cooking, do not use it in salad dressings as it is too harsh.

Balsamic vinegar is traditionally made from a syrup of Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes allowed to age for a minimum of 12 years in wooden barrels. This vinegar is sweet, darkcoloured and thick in texture. It can dominate a dressing or the flavour of a dish so do use it sparingly.