Rice
vinegar can also be used as substitute for the usual western white
vinegar. However, homemakers may find it
troublesome searching for this ingredient in shops that sells Asian
ingredients. It is often too pricey as
well since it’s imported from China or Japan.
The advantage of making your own rice vinegar then is that you can prepare
it according to your own taste or preference and save money. Rice vinegar is generally milder than the
usual white vinegar. However, there is a
method used to make it stronger. Before we deal with that aspect, let us first
identify the steps involved in making rice vinegar.
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Step
1
Take
2 cups of rice and wash it with 3 cups of water. To wash the rice, cup a small portion
of rice and rub it between your palms. Do this with rice submerged in water and
not out of the water. If you think you have rubbed all the rice completely, let
it soak in the water for more than 6 hours.
If you prefer a shorter period, it is still acceptable.
Step
2
After
six hours, drain the water and store it in a large container to separate the
rice. Do not throw the water away. With regards to the rice, you can add water
again and still cook it. Depending on
your taste, you can add one cup of sugar for a milder effect or you can omit it
for stronger taste. You may or may not refrigerate the rice wash.
Step
3
Whether
you refrigerate it or not, you have to transfer the solution to smaller containers like pocket size bottles and the
like. Before returning the cap to the mouth of the bottle, cover it with a soft
cloth first, just enough to cover from the mouth of the bottle up to the neck. Seal
it tightly with the cap.
Step
4
Store
the formula in a dark area such as cabinets in your store room or garage. Ensure
that the storage area is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Step
5
Inspect
the formula after one week. Take one bottle, remove the seal, and smell it. You
will know that the fermentation process is complete if you no longer smell a
foul odor. It is important to remember that during the fermenting process, the
formula will emit foul odor.
Step
6
If
there are no more foul odors, then remove the formula from storage and transfer
it in your kitchen. You now have ample supply of rice vinegar within your
reach.
You can now prepare Asian dishes that
require rice vinegar like sashimi, sweet and sour fish or pork, cucumber and
radish salad. Aside from the benefits mentioned
above, another advantage of making your own rice vinegar is that it is purely
natural. You are confident that there are no synthetic ingredients or
substitutes added. You can make your
rice vinegar stronger like that of western vinegar by not removing them from
your storage area until you need it.
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