Our country is the hometown of vinegar and the first country in the world to use grains to make vinegar. There is a saying called "Seven things to open the door: firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea", which shows that vinegar has been very important to our lives since ancient times.

The person who invented vinegar also has a certain background. He is Heita, the son of Du Kang, the god of wine.

According to legend, Heita learned how to make wine from Du Kang. Later, Heita led his family to move to Zhenjiang, now Jiangsu Province. There he felt that it would be a pity to throw away the lees, so he soaked them in a vat and stored them. On the 21st day of the year, when he opened the vat, an aroma he had never smelled before hit his nostrils. Heita couldn't help but take a sip. It tasted both sour and sweet, so he stored it to make seasoned physalis.

What is the name of this seasoning paste?

When he wanted to discover it, it was the You hour on the 21st, so he named this seasoned sour water "vinegar" by adding the word "You" on the 21st. It is said that even today, there is a vinegar factory in Zhenjiang that has a period of twenty-one days to brew a batch of vinegar.

Vinegar is not only a seasoning, but also has unexpected medicinal value.

Vinegar, appetizing and lowering blood pressure

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that vinegar is sour and bitter, warm in nature, enters the stomach, spleen, large intestine, travels through the liver meridian, and can stop bleeding, kill toxins, and disperse blood stasis.

Modern medicine believes that vinegar can help digestion, enhance liver function, and promote metabolism; it can also expand blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.

Speaking of vinegar helping to prevent high blood pressure, it is not actually the effect of vinegar itself.

High-salt diet is an important cause of high blood pressure. Using vinegar to increase the flavor of dishes can reduce the amount of salt used, control salt intake, and help prevent and treat high blood pressure.

However, some vinegars contain more MSG and sodium-containing substances. If you consume more of this type of vinegar, it is not conducive to the control of high blood pressure, so it is worth noting.

Some people believe that fruit vinegar contains the mineral potassium and vitamin C, which is helpful in preventing high blood pressure. But because the content and intake are too small, it is better to eat fresh vegetables and fruits directly.

In addition, experimental research on the glycemic index found that adding vinegar (or lemon juice, etc.) to food to increase acidity can reduce the glycemic index of the food, that is, slow down the rise in blood sugar.

When buying vinegar, look at the total acid content

The total acid content is one of the important indicators of vinegar. It will be marked on the food label. The higher the content, the stronger the sour taste of the vinegar. , the better the quality.

Generally speaking, the total acid content of vinegar should be ≧3.5g/100ml. If it is lower than this standard, it means that the quality of the vinegar is not good, and it may be blended.

Also pay attention to the production date and trademark, and be careful not to buy expired vinegar or fake vinegar.

Good brewed vinegar is clear and free of sediment and suspended matter. It is amber or reddish brown, and the quality is better if it is shiny. There should be a vinegar aroma, the sourness should be soft, and the aftertaste should be long, without astringency or odor.