Rice vinegar and white vinegar are essentially the same. As a primary compound, they include acetic acid. They’re both sour, and they’re both clear fluids. They do, however, differ in specific ways. Thus, if you’re planning on using one as a substitute for the other, you may ask: What is the difference between rice vinegar and white vinegar?
Rice vinegar and white vinegar differ in many ways. However, the most noticeable is their taste. Rice vinegar has a tinge of sweetness amidst the sour profile, while white vinegar has a neutral but sour flavor. Still, when used as condiments or ingredients to recipes, you can use one instead of the other.
Vinegar comes in several types, and they provide different flavor profiles. Thus, even though rice vinegar and white vinegar are the same, they still have differences that you need to understand.
In this article, we’ll walk you through all the things you need to know about rice vinegar and white vinegar. This way, you can understand it clearly and know how to adjust your recipe if you need to use one instead of the other.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
Is rice vinegar white vinegar?
No, rice vinegar is not white vinegar. These two kinds of vinegar are different from each other despite sharing similar properties.
Rice vinegar is made by fermenting the starches in rice using acetic acid bacteria and small amounts of rice wine to convert the sugars into alcohol and then into acetic acid.
White vinegar comprises acetic acid (about 5-10%) and water (about 90-95%), yielding vinegar with a pure, crisp, strong taste.
What is rice vinegar?
Rice vinegar is made by fermenting rice starches with an acetic acid bacteria known as Mother of Vinegar and small amounts of rice wine to change the sugars into alcohol then transform into acetic acid.
To further complicate matters, people frequently refer to rice vinegar as “rice wine vinegar,” even though it is not an alcoholic drink even though it has the word “wine” in its name. Still, you should be aware that it is not the same as rice wine.
What is white vinegar?
Rice vinegar is produced by processing the starches in rice with an acetic acid bacterium and tiny quantities of rice wine to transform the sugars into alcohol, which is subsequently converted into acetic acid.
White vinegar comprises acetic acid (approximately 5-10%) and water (about 90-95%), which results in vinegar with an exceptionally clean, crisp, and robust flavor.
What is the difference between rice vinegar and white vinegar?
Rice vinegar and white vinegar are used in many similar ways. However, you can find both types of vinegar different from each other in several aspects as well.
Let’s get into some of these differences!
Rice vinegar vs. white vinegar taste and flavor
Rice vinegar and white vinegar differ from each other in taste and flavor. Rice wine has a mild sourness with a tinge of sweetness in it. On the other hand, white vinegar has a neutral flavor but with a sharp sourness. Thus, both types of vinegar would give different effects and flavor profiles to food.
Despite such differences, you can interchange the two and use one to replace the other. You can do it, especially when you end up having no other vinegar available.
Is rice vinegar milder or stronger than white vinegar?
Rice vinegar is milder than white vinegar. Rice wine has a slightly sour flavor with a hint of sweetness. White vinegar, on the other hand, has a neutral taste with a harsh sourness.
Rice vinegar vs. white vinegar uses
Rice vinegar is used mainly for cooking purposes. On the other hand, white vinegar can also be used for cooking, but it can also be ideal for cleaning. Due to its acidity, white vinegar works well in cleaning many things, making it a useful household tool.
Rice vinegar vs. white vinegar acidity
Rice vinegar is less acidic than white vinegar. As a result, rice vinegar provides mild sourness, while white vinegar provides sharp sourness.
White vinegar has 5 percent acidity, while rice vinegar, on the other hand, has 4 percent. So although it’s only a one percent difference in acidity, it actually results in white vinegar being 20 percent stronger than rice vinegar.
Rice vinegar is milder and less acidic than many other types of vinegar since it is made through rice wine fermentation. It’s the perfect choice if you need vinegar for marinating fish and meat. It’s also ideal for making dips and sauces.
Rice vinegar vs. white vinegar for pickling
White vinegar is more ideal for pickling rather than rice vinegar. The reason is that white vinegar has 5% acidity, and it’s the perfect acidity level for pickling.
Since rice vinegar only has 4% acidity, pickling isn’t ideal for it. Instead, it’s the perfect choice if you need vinegar for marinating fish and meat. It’s also ideal for making dips and sauces.
Rice vinegar vs. white vinegar calories and nutrition
Rice vinegar contains zero calories per tablespoon, while white vinegar has around 2-15 Calories per tablespoon, depending on the brand.
For this reason, you cannot expect these condiments to be a good source of nutrients. The lowest calorie forms, such as distilled vinegar, have no nutritional value; others have trace quantities.
Can I use white vinegar instead of rice vinegar?
Yes, you can use white vinegar instead of rice vinegar. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that white vinegar adds a sharp sour flavor to food rather than a mild but sweet blend in the sourness of rice vinegar.
For this reason, you need to be careful in adding the amount, as it can affect your recipe’s output afterward. Still, if you only need a small amount, it shouldn’t have much of a difference.
Now, if you have apple cider vinegar at home, it can be a better substitute. Some people prefer the flavor of apple cider vinegar as an alternative to rice vinegar. However, most people choose apple cider vinegar as an alternative since it is light and somewhat fruity, thanks to its apple taste.
Can I use rice vinegar instead of white vinegar?
Yes, you can use rice vinegar instead of white vinegar. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that rice vinegar has a mild and sweet sourness rather than a sharp sourness of white vinegar.
For this reason, you need to adjust your recipe if you don’t want the vinegar to affect your output. Still, if you’re only using a small amount of white vinegar, it shouldn’t matter since it will less likely affect your food’s flavor.
How is rice vinegar made compared to white vinegar?
Rice vinegar and white vinegar share similar manufacturing processes. However, their difference lies mainly in the base ingredient or primary source. Rice vinegar is manufactured from fermented rice, whereas white vinegar is made from various grains, such as maize and other wheat-based alcohol derivatives.
Both types of vinegar also differ in their place of origin. For example, rice wine vinegar is a famous acid that is necessary for Asian cuisine. You might even argue that rice vinegar is an Asian condiment. White vinegar, on the other hand, is a popular seasoning in the Western world.
Summary
In a nutshell, rice vinegar is different from white vinegar in many aspects. For instance, rice vinegar is a bit sweeter, while white vinegar is a bit neutral. In addition, the sourness is mild with rice vinegar, while the sourness in white vinegar is sharp.
Despite these differences, you can still use both interchangeably, given that you run out of options. The only thing you need to do is compensate for the low points of each of these two kinds of vinegar. Since they share similar properties, these adjustments won’t be much.
Related:
- Rice Wine vs. Shaoxing Wine
- Rice Wine vs. White Wine
- Rice Vinegar vs. Apple Cider Vinegar
- Rice Wine vs. Rice Vinegar
Resources
Image credits – Canva
