Rice vinegar and apple cider vinegar are similar but not the same.
The main difference comes down to their base ingredient. Rice vinegar comes from rice, whereas apple cider vinegar is made from apples. This difference in ingredients causes rice vinegar to taste slightly sweeter but apple cider vinegar to have more uses and benefits. Nevertheless, you can use them interchangeably.
Keep reading to learn more about rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and their differences.
What Is Rice Vinegar?
Rice vinegar is made whenever rice starches are fermented with acidic acid bacteria and rice wine. This changes the sugars from the rice starch into alcohol, which then transform into acidic acid. Rice wine vinegar is the exact same as rice vinegar, but neither kinds of vinegar are a type of wine.
Rice vinegar has primarily been used for cooking purposes. It is mixed with sesame oil a lot to create delicious pickles or dressings in Asian cuisine. It is sometimes used as the base of alcoholic beverages too.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar undergoes a process of fermentation so that the yeast from the apple juice’s sugar is turned into alcohol. Bacteria then convert that alcohol into acidic acid, creating the pungent odor and sour flavor associated with apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar has been a favorite home remedy for many conditions, including sore throats, varicose veins, and fungal infections. Unfortunately, little research has been done about apple cider vinegar to confirm or deny if these home remedies are true.
Rice Vinegar vs Apple Cider Vinegar
Because rice vinegar and apple cider vinegar are made from different plants, they have different flavors, uses, and health benefits. Let’s take a look.
Flavor
Rice vinegar and apple cider vinegar are very sour. To many people, the two flavors will taste almost identical. That being said, rice vinegar is slightly sweeter than apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar can become even more pungent if tart apples are used specifically.
Uses
Apple cider vinegar and rice vinegar can be used practically interchangeably. They are both used for cooking purposes. Rice vinegar is a favorite to use in alcoholic beverages, sauces, and marinades. In comparison, apple cider vinegar is used in cooking, but it is often used in cleaning solutions too.
Health Benefits
Although there are no explicit studies about rice vinegar and apple cider vinegar, customers have reported the following health benefits with rice vinegar and apple cider vinegar:
Rice Vinegar:
- Improve digestion
- Liver tonic
- Beat fatigue
- Improve the immune system
- Maintain weight
Apple Cider Vinegar:
- Weight loss
- Cut cholesterol intake
- Reduce blood sugar levels
- Resolve diabetes symptoms
- Fight fungal infections
- Soothe a sore throat
Conclusion
As you can see, apple cider vinegar and rice vinegar are similar, but they aren’t the same. Rice vinegar is made from rice starch, whereas apple cider vinegar is made from apple juice. When it comes to cooking, you can use these vinegar types interchangeably, but apple cider vinegar is typically associated with more household uses and health benefits.
