Ingredient of the week: Malt vinegar

This dark, flavourful vinegar is made by malting barley, making it into beer, then turning it into vinegar.

For people with Type 2 diabetes, adding malt vinegar to their diet may aid in blood sugar control. A little malt vinegar adds flavour without calories and this may help in managing weight. A spoonful of malt vinegar and honey mixed in a glass of water can also help ease pain for individuals with inflammation and pain of arthritis. One tablespoon of malt vinegar mixed with water (250ml) helps in calcium absorption. This is good for those who are lactose intolerant.

Like white vinegar, I use malt vinegar to wash my fruits and vegetables. In a kitchen basin with water (about ¾ full), I add 2-4 tablespoons of malt vinegar, mix then put my fruits or vegetables for about 10 minutes. I then set them aside to dry before storing away. This helps to remove dirt residue and harmful pesticides.

Ingesting too much malt vinegar can be harmful to ones teeth, mouth and throat it’s is high in acetic acid. Long term consumption of malt vinegar can also cause low potassium levels.

Malt vinegar is available in major supermarkets for Sh85- 600 depending on quantity and brand.