Black rice vinegar (Zhenjiang xiang cu)

Zhenjiang xiang cu is a rice vinegar of a unique taste and production process, made in the Zhenjiang region in the southeast of China. It comes in two varieties, depending on its shelf life - Fragrant Vinegar has a shelf life of over 180 days, and Mature Vinegar has a shelf life of over a year.

There are only six raw materials used in the production process - sticky rice with strong glutinosity, wheat bran of premium quality, rice husk that forms the special gaseous environment, daqu, frying rice that gives it the fragrance and colour, and pure water rich in minerals and with an appropriate hardness for brewing vinegar.

The final product has a delicate flavour and scent, mild and dense, fresh, slightly sweet, sour but not astringent. It is quite dark, reddish brown in colour. It is an extremely versatile and loved product, best used with dumplings, soy sauce, caramelized onions and chili peppers for a true gourmet dish.