Cider Vinegar

[Boo2]

I have an unopened bottle of cider vinegar with a Best Before End Sep 06. Do you think it would be ok to use? And if so, any ideas on how i can use it up?? Thanks.

[drchasuble]

I personally think it would be perfectly fine but I am a notorious eater of out of date stuff and have never had food poisoning in my life and am rarely ill!

I have pasted a link to the Food Standards Agency where it says that "best before" is more to do with quality than safety http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/foodlabels/labelling terms/bestbefore/
and an interesting article from the Guardian.
http://environment.guardian.co.uk/columnist/st ory/0,,1880427,00.html

You could always use it to pickle some onions or shallots to have with your cold meats on Boxing Day.

[heathfield]

There is no requirement for a "Best Before" date on vinegar - along with salt and sugar, it's exempt. The only reason for there being a date on your bottle would be a very slight change of flavour after that time - otherwise, it's qualities will not have been impaired, and it's perfectly safe to use, for pickles or anything else.

By the way, cider vinegar has a unique property. A teaspoonful in a glass of water will quench your thirst after only a couple of mouthfuls, no matter how thirsty you are. It also leaves your mouth feeling fresh and clean. This is unlike straight water, when you can drink a couple of pints, still feel thirsty, and be left with a slimy feel in your mouth. It's something to do with restoring the electrolytic balance in the body, just like expensive energy drinks claim to do.

[Pea Pod]

Braised Red Cabbage ........Finely slice cabbage,chop 1 large cooking apple.Mix these in a bowl with 1 tesp sugar,large knob of butter(cut into little pieces). Put into casserole dish pour your vinegar over.Cover with lid or tin foil bake in fairly hot oven for 1 hour. A different kind of veg and even better warmed up next day.

[Boo2]

Thanks for the answers so far, really interesting. The cabbage recipe sounds fantastic so i will give that i try.

[luckyeight]

Just use it as normal -it'll be fine for a good few years yet!

[stefos]

I swear by my daily glass of cider vinigar and honey. Mix the two with a little hot water and sip. You'll never have bladder problems and I'd like to think it keeps my complexion healthy looking!