I was just wondering if vinegar loses any of its acidity after it sits
(unopened) on the shelf awhile?

Isabella
--
"I will show you fear in a handful of dust"
-T.S. Eliot

"Isabella Woodhouse" > wrote in message
...
>
> I was just wondering if vinegar loses any of its acidity after it sits
> (unopened) on the shelf awhile?
>
> Isabella
>
How old? How big an airspace, how many times opened (big jug = many times?)?
I knew I should have checked something with that truly ancient cider
vinegar before I tossed it last month. Joy of Pickling mentions that vinegar
is more evaporative than water, so speaking from a layperson's point of
view, I think it would depend on how truly ancient (the aforementioned was
probably over 8 years old), how many times you'd opened it, and the general
heat or something of the storage and kitchen used.
I know I've had unopened gallon jugs of vinegar maintain their integrity
for 3 years so far. That being a better quality commercial wine vinegar. No
mother or anything.
Overall, I'd increase the ratio of vinegar to water, if that applies, or
just toss it and buy some more. 'Specially if it looks or tastes off. m2cw
Edrena

In article >,
"The Joneses" > wrote:

> "Isabella Woodhouse" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > I was just wondering if vinegar loses any of its acidity after it sits
> > (unopened) on the shelf awhile?
> >
> How old? How big an airspace, how many times opened (big jug = many times?)?
> I knew I should have checked something with that truly ancient cider
> vinegar before I tossed it last month. Joy of Pickling mentions that vinegar
> is more evaporative than water, so speaking from a layperson's point of
> view, I think it would depend on how truly ancient (the aforementioned was
> probably over 8 years old), how many times you'd opened it, and the general
> heat or something of the storage and kitchen used.
> I know I've had unopened gallon jugs of vinegar maintain their integrity
> for 3 years so far. That being a better quality commercial wine vinegar. No
> mother or anything.
> Overall, I'd increase the ratio of vinegar to water, if that applies, or
> just toss it and buy some more. 'Specially if it looks or tastes off. m2cw
> Edrena

Thanks for responding. This is a gallon glass jug of high quality
wine vinegar in I had forgotten in the back of the cupboard. Maybe five
years old, never opened until now, very little head space. Tastes
great, looks clear. One priority for this winter is finding a quality
pH meter for canning and preserving. I just wondered if, unopened, if
it could lose acidity.

Isabella
--
"I will show you fear in a handful of dust"
-T.S. Eliot

Isabella Woodhouse wrote:
> I was just wondering if vinegar loses any of its acidity after it sits
> (unopened) on the shelf awhile?
>
> Isabella
Nope.

The Joneses wrote:
> "Isabella Woodhouse" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I was just wondering if vinegar loses any of its acidity after it sits
>> (unopened) on the shelf awhile?
>>
>> Isabella
>>
> How old? How big an airspace, how many times opened (big jug = many times?)?
> I knew I should have checked something with that truly ancient cider
> vinegar before I tossed it last month. Joy of Pickling mentions that vinegar
> is more evaporative than water, so speaking from a layperson's point of
> view, I think it would depend on how truly ancient (the aforementioned was
> probably over 8 years old), how many times you'd opened it, and the general
> heat or something of the storage and kitchen used.
> I know I've had unopened gallon jugs of vinegar maintain their integrity
> for 3 years so far. That being a better quality commercial wine vinegar. No
> mother or anything.
> Overall, I'd increase the ratio of vinegar to water, if that applies, or
> just toss it and buy some more. 'Specially if it looks or tastes off. m2cw
> Edrena
>
>
The active part of vinegar is acetic acid, shouldn't lose strength at
all. The water added to get it down to 5% versus 20% or higher, might
evaporate if the jug is left open for a long period of time, otherwise
it should stay good damned near forever.

In article >,
George Shirley > wrote:

> The Joneses wrote:
> > "Isabella Woodhouse" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> I was just wondering if vinegar loses any of its acidity after it sits
> >> (unopened) on the shelf awhile?
> >>
> >> Isabella
> >>
> > How old? How big an airspace, how many times opened (big jug = many
> > times?)?
> > I knew I should have checked something with that truly ancient cider
> > vinegar before I tossed it last month. Joy of Pickling mentions that
> > vinegar
> > is more evaporative than water, so speaking from a layperson's point of
> > view, I think it would depend on how truly ancient (the aforementioned was
> > probably over 8 years old), how many times you'd opened it, and the general
> > heat or something of the storage and kitchen used.
> > I know I've had unopened gallon jugs of vinegar maintain their integrity
> > for 3 years so far. That being a better quality commercial wine vinegar. No
> > mother or anything.
> > Overall, I'd increase the ratio of vinegar to water, if that applies, or
> > just toss it and buy some more. 'Specially if it looks or tastes off. m2cw
> > Edrena
> >
> >
> The active part of vinegar is acetic acid, shouldn't lose strength at
> all. The water added to get it down to 5% versus 20% or higher, might
> evaporate if the jug is left open for a long period of time, otherwise
> it should stay good damned near forever.

That is great to know, thanks!
--
"I will show you fear in a handful of dust"
-T.S. Eliot

In article
>,
Isabella Woodhouse > wrote:

> I was just wondering if vinegar loses any of its acidity after it sits
> (unopened) on the shelf awhile?
>
> Isabella

I can't imagine it would. What's "a while?" Imagine how long it's been
in a warehouse before hitting the supermarket.

Why do you ask?
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.mac.com/barbschaller, and here's the link to my appearance
on "A Prairie Home Companion," <http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/
programs/2008/08/30/>

Isabella Woodhouse wrote:
> I was just wondering if vinegar loses any of its acidity after it sits
> (unopened) on the shelf awhile?

No, but chewing gum loses its flavor if left on the bedpost overnight....

B/