Saturday, September 10, 2011

Drinking Vinegar Taste Test, Part 2

To get caught up on our drinking vinegar tasting, be sure to read Part One.

The friends who volunteered to taste the vinegars had never had a drinking vinegar before. They were all a bit apprehensive but up for an adventure. My friend, John Waller,  mentioned that his mom used to make him drink apple cider vinegar when he was getting a cold. Most were expecting the sharp, sour tang of vinegar. I can't say that people were all that excited to taste the vinegars... what good friends I have!


After a quick drinking vinegar history and letting everyone examine the bottles, I whipped up our tastings.
I diluted the vinegars 4 to 1, about 1/2 cup of the drinking vinegar to 2 cups water. Being very fancy and trying to keep things a little bit "blind", I used measuring cups and had Justin bring each one out. We called them sample A, B, and C. The guests didn't know which was which. I recorded comments while everyone tasted the samples.


Each person was given a small sample, one at a time. Below are the notes on each tasting. Overall I think everyone was really pleased with how the drinking vinegars tasted.


A (Apple Good Health Vinegar)
Observations
Darkest in color
Thicker vinegar (straight from the bottle)
Strongest apple scent
Comments:
"Really good and refreshing, strong apple presence"
"Better than expected, not sour, no bitterness"
"Hint of apple, but no bitterness"
"Sweeter than expected"
"Very light and refreshing"
"Tangy with a touch of honey"
and my favorite: 
"Hey, it is good!?"

B (Pok Pok's Apple Som Vinegar)
Observations: 
light in color
clear
very strong vinegar smell
Comments:
"not as strong as I expected"
"lighter flavor and sweetness"
"delicate"
"not as juicy"
"spicy, sweet and a little nutty"
"flatter flavor than the first tasting"
"more refined"

C: My homemade drinking vinegar
Observations:
Hardly any or no smell - apple or vinegar
Cloudy
Dull color
Comments:
"least overall flavor, the apple doesn't shine through"
"almost like a neutral water with a little tartness"
"less complex, but delicate"
"more summery because it is more refreshing"
"dry, with a tanin, and a vinegar after taste"
"in between the other two in terms of sweetness"

After the tasting we tallied up our votes - which did they think they would buy and drink again, A,B, or C?
AND THE WINNER???
Pok Pok's Som was the winner!!!
But.....when I showed the price differences between Som and the Good Health, the two store bought bottles became tied. 

This was a fun evening and I am really grateful that my friends were good sports about being taste testers. And, I clearly need to rework my recipe :) I think I will try it again with some honey :) 

So, tell me, have you tasted either of these brands? Or another one I should track down? What is your thoughts on store bought drinking vinegars?

4 comments:

  1. How interesting. I definitely want to try a drinking vinegar. Thanks for the info:)

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  2. So what would you change to improve your recipe to more closely match Pok Pok's version? I'm loathe to pay $18 for a drinking vinegar when they are so easy to make at home. Thanks!

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  3. Great posting! I just bought the pineapple Som drinking vinegar from Pok Pok myself which was so delicious, but I went through it in a week and at $18 a bottle, I just can't justify the purchase! I love your recipes and can't wait to try them out. I think I'm going to try out a batch of peach since I just went to Hood River for some peaches! I was wondering where you bought the Apple Good Health vinegar? I also live in Portland so if you found it locally, that would be helpful. Thanks again for a great posting!

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  4. Hi BaxterBunz - You are going to love the peach! It is so fragrant. I love the idea of a trip to Hood River for peaches! I bought the Good Healthy Vinegar at Funbon on 82nd. It is on a top shelf by the canned drinks.

    Please let me know how the drinking vinegar comes out.

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