Vinegar Soup

Vinegar soup is a category of soup the includes all those soup recipes which include vinegar as a key ingredient, and in any form which could be wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, cider vinegar or even malt vinegar. With its tangy flavor, vinegar is used to make zesty, low-sodium and low-calorie soups.

The choice of vinegar for a soup dish is done according to the purpose and the desired flavor of the dish, as all the varieties of vinegars bear different flavors and distinct outcomes.

Vinegar Soup Recipe: Ingredients and Preparation Overview

Vinegars of any type can be used for flavoring any kind of soup, be it a seafood soup, a meat soup or a vegetable soup.

Vinegar is often mixed with honey and sugar to remove its bitterness, before being added to any soup. Some dark vinegars like balsamic vinegar, adds color to the soup as well.

The other ingredients used in any vinegar soup may vary between the recipes. Garlic, onion, cumin and peppers are known to taste good in vinegar soups. Usually, balsamic vinegar or wine vinegar are incorporated in such soup recipes, but fruits vinegar, coconut vinegar and rice vinegar are also quite popular in the soup recipes from some cuisines. Specialty vinegars infused with a particular herb such as rosemary, dill, tarragon or green peppercorn are also added to spice up the dish.

Preparation of vinegar soup involves the addition of vinegar while sautéing the meats and vegetables. The flavor that vinegar imparts over high heat is the highlighted feature of the soup. Flavored vinegar with garlic or green chilies on top of the soup is also a good addition for dressing, while serving the dish.

Popular Vinegar Soup Recipes

• Hot and sour soup – This Chinese soup tastes sour and tart because of the addition of good amount of vinegar. Generally white vinegar is added along with soy sauce. Meats and vegetables are sautéed over high flame and vinegar is added. The liquid is evaporated with the heat while imparting a pleasant sour flavor that makes the soup good to taste.
• Black Bean soup – Soaked black beans are simmered in the water until tender and in another pan; vegetables are sautéed. The sautéed vegetables are flavored with salt, pepper and white vinegar. For those who like extra sour flavor, the seasoning of vinegar is generally done at the top of the soup while serving.
• Tomato and basil soup – Tomato and vinegar makes a good combination, but both the ingredients should be added in proportion as soup would be extra tart if quantities are high. Any good-quality vinegar would complement the taste of tomato soup. Basil and other seasonings are added while serving the soup.

Nutritional and Health Facts on Vinegar Soup

Neuropaths believe that particularly cider vinegar has therapeutic properties along with few traces of potassium and calcium. Cider vinegar when mixed with honey is believed to provide relief to the arthritis patients. However, vinegar is considered a possible allergen among people having yeast and mould sensitivities.

Trivia

Meat vinegar soup prepared with any kind of vinegar is said to have excess of calcium, as the ingredient extracts out all the calcium from the meat bones.