Vinegar

Vinegars are widely used in China as dipping sauces as well as for cooking. Unlike Western vinegars, they are usually made from rice. There are many varieties, ranging in flavour from the spicy and slightly tart to the sweet and pungent:

White Rice Vinegar: White rice vinegar is clear and mild in flavour. It has a faint taste of glutinous rice and is used in preparing sweet and sour dishes.

Black Rice Vinegar: Black rice vinegar is very dark in colour with a rich but mild taste. It is used for braised dishes, noodles, and sauces.