Latest news with #vinegar
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
People are only just realising fish and chip shop vinegar isn't actually vinegar
As one of the quintessential British dishes, nearly 400 million portions of fish and chips are consumed annually. And a portion of hot chips isn't complete without a good shaking of salt, and lots of delicious vinegar sprinkled on top. But many fast food lovers have been shocked to discover that the vinegar served at chippies is not, in fact, vinegar. The majority of chip shops don't use real vinegar, and instead use a cheaper alternative. This cheaper version of the condiment, called a 'non-brewed condiment', is made from acetic acid, water and colouring. While it may have the delicious flavour of its authentic counterpart, legally it cannot be called vinegar as it isn't brewed from alcohol. Not only is non-brewed condiment cheaper to make than real vinegar, it is also much quicker to make - and it has a longer shelf life. And those who totally cut out alcohol from their diet can enjoy the alternative made from acetic acid, water and colouring - for example, those following a halal diet. In addition it is usually gluten-free, unlike malt vinegar, which coeliacs and those with an intolerance have to avoid. Chippies are able to buy a concentrated form of the condiment, which can then be diluted with water, before it is liberally splashed on delicious, hot piles of fried potatoes. When LadBible shared an Instagram post revealing this vinegar news, people took to the comments section to share their thoughts. Many were unconcerned about the provenance of the condiment, with one writing: 'Sorry but chippy "vinegar" is the best, even if my whole life has been a lie.' Another agreed, adding: 'Still tastes better than any other vinegar I've had.' However, it appears some are not fans of the punchy condiment, and prefer to use their own authentic option. One Instagram user wrote: 'That's why you never ask for salt and vinegar and put the proper stuff on at home!' People had mixed reactions to the news, with some saying they love non-brewed condiment, and others preferring the real thing In a similar vein, another added: 'I prefer to do it at home with Sarsons Malt vinegar and my own rock salt.' And a further social media user said: 'Yes it's not malted and should be illegal.' While the news is a revelation to many, it first came to light in 2016, when YouTuber Tom Scott made a video about it, titled The Fake Vinegar In British Fish and Chip Shops. In the video, which has been viewed more than five million times, he said: 'Most people don't know that this isn't vinegar. Legally, it can't be described as vinegar. 'Trading standards are really clear on that. It cannot be put in the little bottles that people traditionally associate with vinegar.'
CNET
12-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Surprising Ways to Use Your Oven's Hidden Space Below
The extra space under the oven is one of those quietly understood, socially accepted rules for storing big pots and pans that don't have a space in other cabinets. But what is the true purpose of that space below your oven? Did the designer really consider our storage needs, or was the creation for something greater? If you're left curious about what that drawer under your oven is really used for, read on to learn more about the type of drawer you may have in your kitchen. It may be the secret cooking option you can use for your next meal. Read More: Clever Cleaning Hacks for the Hardest-to-Reach Crevices in Your Kitchen How to clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar How to clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:31 / Duration 1:29 Loaded : 99.24% 0:31 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:58 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. How to clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar 3 functions of your oven's bottom drawer Warming drawer A warming drawer is easy to identify. Take a look at the buttons on your oven. If one of them is labeled "Warming Drawer" then that's exactly what you have. Anytime you need to warm a pie or a loaf of bread -- or you just want to keep dishes warm while the rest of the meal finishes cooking -- pop it into the warming drawer and push the warming button. Broiler Broiler drawers are typically found on gas ovens and are very narrow. Chris Monroe/CNET If you have an oven heated with natural gas, the drawer is typically a broiler. To be sure, pull open the door. If it looks more like a retractable pan than a drawer, then it's a broiler. Think of the broiler as an extra cooking area. It's best for toasting or browning foods like casseroles or breads. Any item placed in the broiler will burn quickly, though, so check on it every couple of minutes. Storage drawer A storage drawer is usually much deeper than a warming drawer or broiler. Chris Monroe/CNET If there isn't a warming button and the area looks like a deep, empty drawer, then you probably have a storage drawer. As per a recent Reddit discussion, many people are unsure about what to keep in this space. This is a good place to store cast iron pots and pans, because the warmth from your oven will help keep them rust free. Just be sure not to store plastic items in this drawer, because they may become warped due to residual heat. Likewise, some older ovens have little insulation and may heat your metal cookware when the oven is on. As a precaution, always use oven mitts to remove cookware during or after your oven has been in use.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Strawberries will last longer and won't spoil if you dip them in 35p item you already have in your kitchen cupboard
STRAWBERRIES are one of the nation's best-loved fruits - especially in summer. Whether added to cereal, blended into smoothies, or eaten straight from the punnet, they're a popular staple in many UK households. 1 And with UK temperatures set to soar this month, we can expect more punnets of strawberries to be purchased from the supermarket over the next few weeks. But despite their popularity, the fruit's shelf life is short-lived, often spoiling within just a couple of days of purchase. This unwelcome mould and mushiness mean many of us are forced to throw them out before we've had the chance to enjoy them - wasting both money and food. But now, one expert has revealed a surprisingly simple and cheap trick that can extend the life of your strawberries by several days. The best part? You probably already have what you need sitting in your kitchen cupboard. And if not, it only costs 35p in the likes of Tesco. Storage expert Elizabeth Adams, from says a small bottle of white vinegar could be the key to making your strawberries last longer. 'Strawberries tend to spoil quickly because of surface mould and bacteria that thrive in humid conditions,' she explains. 'Even if they look fresh in the shop, they often come into contact with tiny amounts of mould during the packaging and handling process, which accelerates the spoilage once you get them home.' To combat this, Elizabeth recommends giving your strawberries a quick vinegar bath before storing them. She says: 'All you need to do is mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. Gardening hacks to grow fruit from your weekly shop "Soak your strawberries in the solution for about five minutes, then rinse them thoroughly under cold water and dry them completely. "The vinegar kills off most of the bacteria and mould spores that cause the fruit to go bad so quickly.' Once washed and dried, you will need to store the strawberries in a paper towel-lined container with the lid slightly ajar. This allows for a little airflow and prevents moisture from building up which is another common cause of early spoilage. 'It's a simple trick, but it really works,' insists Elizabeth. 'Done properly, this method can help keep your strawberries fresh for up to a week and sometimes even longer, depending on how ripe they were when you bought them.' While many people assume vinegar might affect the taste, Elizabeth reassures that it doesn't. 'As long as you rinse them thoroughly after the soak, you won't taste the vinegar at all", she says. "You're just left with fresh, clean strawberries that stay in good condition far longer than they would otherwise.' In a time when the cost of living continues to climb, finding ways to make your food last longer is more important than ever. Small hacks like this one can prevent waste, reduce supermarket trips, and stretch your food budget further. Hacks for Keeping Food Fresh in Your Fridge IF you want your food to stay fresh, you'll need to try out this useful hacks... Herbs in Water: Store fresh herbs like parsley and coriander in a glass of water, then cover with a plastic bag to keep them fresh for weeks. Wrap Greens in Paper Towels: Wrap leafy greens in paper towels before placing them in a plastic bag. The towels absorb excess moisture, preventing wilting. Use Mason Jars: Store salads, chopped vegetables, and even leftovers in mason jars. They are airtight and keep food fresher for longer. Revive Stale Bread: Sprinkle a bit of water on stale bread and pop it in the oven for a few minutes to make it fresh again. Baking Soda for Odours: Place an open box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb odours and keep food tasting fresh. Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil: Chop herbs and freeze them in olive oil using an ice cube tray. This preserves their flavour and makes them easy to use. Keep Cheese Fresh: Wrap cheese in wax paper instead of plastic wrap. Wax paper allows the cheese to breathe, preventing it from becoming slimy. Store Avocados with Onions: Place a cut avocado in an airtight container with a slice of onion. The sulphur compounds in the onion slow down oxidation, keeping the avocado fresh. Use Vinegar Wash for Berries: Rinse berries in a mixture of water and vinegar (one cup of vinegar to three cups of water) before storing. This kills bacteria and mould spores, extending their shelf life. Egg Freshness Test: To check if eggs are still fresh, place them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink, while old ones will float. Implement these clever hacks to maximise the freshness of your food and make the most of your groceries.
