Japanese Food Tips

Vinegar is called “su” in Japanese. In the West, wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar are mainly used. In Japan, on the other hand, rice vinegar, black vinegar, and grain vinegar are mainly used. Rice vinegar and grain vinegar are translucent yellow, and black vinegar is blackish brown. The main ingredient for rice vinegar is rice, and the main ingredient for black vinegar is rice or brown rice. The rice used in Japanese black vinegar is different from the glutinous rice used to make Chinese black vinegar. Grain vinegar is made by blending grains such as wheat, barley and corn. Rice vinegar is almost always used for sushi rice at sushi restaurants. Some people drink black vinegar for health and beauty. Grain vinegar is affordable and often used at home. Japanese vinegar has a relatively low acidity of 4-5% and tastes very mild compared with non-Japanese vinegar, which usually has an acidity of 6-8% or more. In any case, all vinegars, including Japanese vinegar, are healthy. If you are interested in Japanese vinegars, why not try them sometime.