© Shutterstock 

What is vinegar? -

Vinegar is a tingling, sour tasting liquid consisting of about 5-20% acetic acid, water, trace elements, and, in some cases, flavorings.

© Shutterstock 

How is vinegar produced? -

Vinegar may be produced from a variety of materials: grapes or apples (wine or cider vinegar); malted barley or oats (malt vinegar); and industrial alcohol (distilled white vinegar).

© Shutterstock 

The many types of vinegar -

The many types of vinegar available also use beer, sugar, and rice, among other substances, as base ingredients.

© Shutterstock 

Use of vinegar in antiquity -

The Greeks and Roman frequently used vinegar made from wine. And traces of vinegar have been found in ancient Egyptian urns dating back to 3000 BCE.

© Getty Images 

Vinegar as a drink -

History records the Babylonians making vinegar as a drink from dates, figs, and even beer. Like the Greeks, they often mixed their vinegar with other ingredients to disguise its tart taste before drinking it.

© Getty Images 

Vinegar and Jesus Christ -

Vinegar is mentioned in the Bible. Matthew records that as Jesus went to the cross, "They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink" - (Matthew 27:34). Mark described the drink as wine mingled with myrrh (Mark 15:23).

© Getty Images 

The Orléans process -

By the Middle Ages, the French city of Orléans was dominating European vinegar production, due mostly to the quality of its vinegar made through a formalized fermentation and aging process, which became known as the Orléans process.

© Getty Images 

Arrival of malt vinegar -

The medieval period also saw England produce the first batches of malt vinegar. Initially called "alegar," it's made from grains of barley and remains one of the most popular vinegars sold in the United Kingdom.

© Getty Images 

'Jack and Jill' -

In fact, malt vinegar's popularity is such that a traditional 18th-century English nursery rhyme known as 'Jack and Jill' includes the lines, "Went to bed to mend his head/With vinegar and brown paper."

© Getty Images 

Balsamic vinegar -

Meanwhile in Southern Europe, the Italians were busily creating balsamic vinegar, a dark, concentrated, intensely flavored vinegar originating in Modena. Made from grape must, balsamic vinegar is a prized gourmet condiment used by some of the famous chefs in the world.

© Getty Images 

Rice vinegar -

In the 19th century on the other side of the world, the Japanese discovered that sake lees, a cooking ingredient, could be used to make rice vinegar. It quickly became a staple condiment for the country's burgeoning sushi industry.

© Getty Images 

Advances in the fermentation process -

In 1864, the French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur made an important contribution to vinegar production when he demonstrated that it is Acetobacter bacteria that causes the conversion of alcohol to acetic acid.

© Getty Images 

Industrial-scale production -

Pasteur's breakthrough in proving that vinegar fermented as a result of a natural and biological process paved the way for more innovation in vinegar production and manufacture on an industrial scale.

© Getty Images 

Health benefits of vinegar -

Apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy. Together with white vinegar, it's thought to have a number of health benefits, including some antimicrobial and antioxidant effects.

© Shutterstock 

May lower cholesterol -

Studies suggest that apple cider vinegar can lower cholesterol levels, according to WebMD. It also boosts "good" cholesterol and lowers levels of triglycerides (fats in the blood).

© Shutterstock

May lower blood sugar levels -

Similar research indicates that taking a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar could lower your blood sugar after meals. However, there's no scientific evidence to back this claim, and further study is needed.

© Shutterstock 

May improve the symptoms of diabetes -

Similarly, it's thought that apple cider vinegar may improve the symptoms of diabetes. Again, however, little research exists and further studies are needed before it can be recommended as an alternative therapy.

© Shutterstock 

Uses in cooking and food preparation -

Vinegar is often used in the culinary arts as a flavorful, acidic cooking ingredient, or in pickling. Indeed, the acidity or sourness of vinegar brightens the flavor of food and adds balance to any rich dish.

© Shutterstock 

Use as a salad dressing -

Vinegar, usually apple cider or balsamic, is an essential ingredient in salad dressings, where it's described as a vinaigrette—the classic cold sauce. Olive oil, lemon juice, grainy mustard, and black pepper lend the mix extra texture, and leave a zesty flavor on the palate.

© Shutterstock 

Use as a marinade -

Vinegar's unique acidity has long been called upon by cooks in the kitchen to make marinades. Balsamic, white, apple cider, and white wine vinegars are all popular choices to tenderize and bring out the flavor of various meats. Ultimately, however, vinegar choice depends on what meat and cut you're working with.

© Shutterstock 

Using vinegar with fish and seafood -

When marinating fish and seafood, use a mild marinade for a shorter length of time. This is because the acidity of the vinegar and citrus juices can actually end up cooking the ingredients, which is not the aim. Pictured is sarde in saor—marinated sardines, a typical dish from Venice, Italy, with white onions marinated with wine vinegar, raisins, and pine nuts, served with bread.

© Shutterstock 

Vinegar used to pickle food -

Vinegar can be used to pickle food. This is a centuries-old preservation technique to extend the shelf life of perishable foodstuffs by eliminating harmful bacteria.

© Shutterstock 

Fish and chips -

A traditional British staple, fish and chips is nearly aways served with salt and vinegar—malt vinegar, in fact.

© Shutterstock 

Fruit vinegars -

Fruit vinegars are made from fruit wines. Besides apple, common flavors include blackcurrant, strawberry, raspberry, quince, red and black grape, and tomato.

© Shutterstock 

Date vinegar -

Vinegar made from raisins is used in cuisines of the Middle East. Dates are also used, and in fact have been since the ancient Babylonians, as previously mentioned, started producing vinegar.

© Shutterstock 

Use as cleaning product -

Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar are effective cleaning agents, and a natural alternative to commercial cleaning products. Lemon juice is often added for extra punch. However, this concoction does not protect wounds from infection.

© Shutterstock 

Use as a herbicide -

Did you know that vinegar can serve as a natural herbicide? Mixed together with water and insecticidal green soap (made from potassium and coconut oil), it works effectively at ridding some undesired garden weeds.

© Shutterstock 

Use as sting relief -

Vinegar, usually the apple cider variety, can be used to treat wasp and bee stings. Dab a drop on cotton wool and place it on the sting. You can also use a cotton swab soaked in vinegar and rub it on the affected area.

Sources: (Britannica) (WebMD)

See also: Ferocious flying insects you don't want to meet

© Shutterstock