Many vinegar makers have asked me about the question of the effect of light on vinegar production. The temperature effects on vinegar production are well known but the effects of light are more subtle. First things first: the typical ambient light in your house does not seriously impair vinegar production. Therefore, there is no need to religiously keep vinegar production … Read More
Vinegar/Kombucha Acidity Testing and Microbiological Analysis Services
Here at Supreme Vinegar we frequently get inquiries about testing vinegar acidity or even questions about what bacteria someone’s vinegar has. We frequently test all of these in our own vinegars and would now like to extend our services to all home vinegar or kombucha makers. Vinegar/Kombucha Acidity Testing Acidity testing is done using sodium hydroxide titration and the average … Read More
High temperatures threaten balsamic vinegars in Italy
A recent story in the vinegar world of Italy is the effect of extended record high temperatures on traditional balsamic vinegar makers in Modena and Reggio Emilia. In particular, the ‘il caldo africano’, a heavy, hot wind that blows into Italy from North Africa, has set record high temperatures for weeks of July and August. This is not as much … Read More
Temperature and Speed for Bacterial Fermentation
Much of the food we love to ferment is fermented by bacteria. Obviously vinegar, which my company is dedicated to, is a prime example with several families of acetic acid bacteria contributing depending on the method of vinegar fermentation, acidity, and starter alcohol. For a variety of fermented foods, however, lactic acid fermentation by various lactic acid bacteria is primary. … Read More