Vinegar is a diverse food product used to flavor various food dishes and complement other foods. Malt vinegar is made from fermented grain, usually barley, that's softened in water. The starch produced from the germination process is converted into sugars that give it a distinctive taste. Malt vinegar is used in a number of food processes and noted for its straight use on English fish and chips.
Pickling
Malt vinegar is aged in barrels and can add flavor enhancements to a number of foods because of its strong taste. The acidic content of vinegar makes it an ideal substance for pickling. The outcome of the process depends on what kind of malt vinegar is used in the recipe. Distilled malt vinegar has no color and often is used to pickle onions, pears and cucumbers because it won't affect the natural white color of the foods. It has a sharp, distinct taste. Salad dressings, marinades and sauces often are made with light malt vinegar that has a light brown color. The taste is slightly milder than dark malt vinegar, but still adds a tanginess to the recipe. Caramel is added to make dark brown malt vinegar, which also has a stronger taste than the lighter version. It is used straight on dishes such as fish and chips, in chutney sauces and to pickle foods such as walnuts.
Beer
Dried malt that has been baked in low heat is the basis for most beer recipes, report researchers at the Allergy Advisor. The sugars formed by the fermented grains feed the yeast to turn it into alcohol. The characteristics of the germinated barley determine the quality of the beer. Drying at higher temperatures produces a variety of specialty malts. Adding small amounts of specialty malts produces flavor and color. The alcohol derived from malt also is used in manufacturing some whiskey flavors.
Hair Care
Malt vinegar can be used in natural hair care recipes to reduce oil and keep hair clean and shiny, report stylists at the Beauty Tips Hub. The acid in the vinegar neutralizes oil and can prevent oil buildup. A mixture of 2 tbsp. malt vinegar, 1/2 liter water and 1/4 tsp. salt can be massaged into the scalp and left on for about an hour to reduce oily buildup. People with permanent hairstyles, such as dreadlocks or cornrows, often use malt vinegar recipes to clean their hair. A thorough rinsing can help to alleviate any odor left from the treatment.
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