Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother

Apple cider vinegar with the mother is raw, unfiltered and unpasteurized, which means the cloudy strands of cellulose and bacteria that formed during fermentation are still in the bottle. That is the mother. Most supermarket cider vinegar has been filtered and heat-treated until it is clear, stable and considerably less interesting.

What the mother actually is

During fermentation, acetic acid bacteria build a raft of cellulose on the surface of the cider. Filtering and pasteurizing strips it out and kills the culture, which extends shelf life for a distributor and takes character out of the bottle. We leave ours in. It will settle to the bottom, and shaking the bottle before you pour is normal. If you want the fermentation detail, read how small-batch vinegar is made.

Choosing between them

Using it beyond the salad bowl

Cider vinegar is more useful than its reputation suggests. It cuts fat in pork and roast chicken, sharpens a barbecue sauce, makes a fast quick-pickle for onions, and is the acid in a proper apple cider vinegar vinaigrette. Plenty of people also take it in water first thing, which we cover in the morning routine guide. It is worth being clear that we sell this as food, not as medicine.

Common questions

  • Should I shake it? Yes, if you want the mother in your pour. It is harmless either way.
  • Is this the same as cleaning vinegar? No. Cleaning vinegar is distilled and higher in acid, and it is not for cooking. We explain the split in cleaning vinegar vs cooking vinegar.
  • Does it need refrigerating? No. The mother may keep growing slightly in the bottle. That is not spoilage.

 

To taste across all five, the apple cider vinegar sampler has them in mini bottles. Orders over $85 ship free in the contiguous US.

Let customers speak for us

from 1672 reviews
Birthday gift for my sister

My sister was thrilled with the gift set. I also added a couple of other vinegars that I love…and she did too! Such wonderful vinegar flavors that enhance everything we eat!!!

Carla H.

Great vinegar.

Gail G.
Superior Vinegar- will be repeat customer

I love vinegar and your regular cider vinegar, malted beer vinegar, cider vinegar w/ blueberry and cider vinegar w/ cranberry is awesome and will be a repeat customer for life.
I am 78 and a 14th generation New Englander with maternal and paternal roots back in Dedham, Massachusetts and Providence RI back to 1636. I am 78 now and born in Boston but due to job and marriage and kids have lived at the New Jersey Shore since 1978- age 30.

John Carter ANGELL
520 Hillside Ave
Pine Beach
New Jersey 08741
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[****]

JOHN
I keep these in-stock in my kitchen

I keep these in-stock in my kitchen. They are reasonably shelf stable and I like the varitey.

Anonymous
Love your vinegar’s everything came fine right

Love your vinegar’s everything came fine right on time and I enjoy them very much

Customer L.E.
Great vinegar

The best vinegars I have ever tasted. The apple cider vinegar is real, not apple cider flavored vinegar like most. It is made with real apples, and you can taste the difference. Fantastic used making hot bacon dressing for wilted salads.
I highly recommend.

kevin h.
I’ve been using these vinegars for three years and I would use nothing else! The red wine vinegar

I’ve been using these vinegars for three years and I would use nothing else! The red wine vinegar is my go to. I am currently enjoying the Honey Wine Vinegar, Rice Wine Vinegar, Chardonnay Wine Vinegar. The quality is exceptional !

Nancy K.
Trust the Freebie

The free bonus bottle of hot vinegar is not something I would have ordered, but I love it—so good on garden-ripened tomatoes! Ordering was easy, delivery prompt, all contents in good condition. The vinegar has a depth and richness that grocery store vinegar just doesn’t have.

Martha G.T.
Superior quality, tasty and smooth

Did a taste test with your apple vinegar and the major national brand we use. First diluted in water then straight. In both concentrations your product wins hands down. Smoother and tastier. The choking, why'd-I-do-that response with the straight vinegar was almost worth it.

Anonymous
Good vinegar, and samplers are fun and practical

American Vinegar Works makes delicious vinegars. I don't like them all equally, but that's what makes the sampler packs great. I chose what I wanted to try. I highly recommend the miles from the tree cider vinegar! I also like that I can buy a small bottle when I only want a little of something specialized for a recipe. It makes a good reason to try some more kinds!

Harriet

Great vinegars

Alexa J.

As with all AVWs vinegars, always excellent and far superior to anything from a supermarket!

Bert
Elevated my appreciation of vinegar!

The olive oil is very pure and smooth. I enjoy experimenting with American Vinegar's recipes because you cannot go wrong no matter the combinations. Very fresh!

Joyce N.
vinegars

excellent wine chardonnay--can use it instead of fresh lemon. still have to try the red.

Cheryl L.
cute notebook

perfect size for carrying around. fits nicely in a purse.

Cheryl L.