Herbal Vinegars - Ideas, Uses and Ingredients

Herbal vinegars are a useful as an ingredient and also to beautify your living spaces, mainly the kitchen. I made my first herbal vinegar years ago, and think it is the neatest idea. What a healthy way to liven up any dish.

Which vinegar to use for your herbal vinegars

There are a few vinegars to choose from, but some say the best for herbal vinegars is an apple cider vinegar. Its great to be able to see the herbs as clearly as possible, so the filtered vinegar would be best, aesthetically speaking. Some have said that the cider vinegar is too strong. If you want a strong herb vinegar, say to marinate with, and have garlic in it as well (among other things) then apple cider vinegar would be great.

Distilled vinegar is a bit less healthy for you because of all the distillation processes it goes though. That said, many love to use a white distilled vinegar. It also is the most economical of the vinegars. You can buy a huge container of it. Try some different ones out and find what you like best.

Herbs for your vinegars

It doesn't matter if you use dried or fresh herbs in your vinegar, either way you will be doing something healthy for yourself. I lean towards fresher herbs. You can use many different herbs, and one time I heard it was great to use Burdock, dandelion and nettles. I would have to research that more to see what form they recommended exactly, as plants have many parts, and some, like the dandelion have a milky juice that comes out when you break a stem etc. So I am not sure how that would work out. So more research is needed there. There are several other herbs that you could use though. For instance, try garlic mustard, lambs quarter, chickweed, yellow dock root, red clover, nettles, oregano, basil, dill and so many more. Lets look at some groups of herbs that would go well together.

Here are some groups of herbs that you could use together

*Dill, Lemon Balm and Nasturtium (nasturtium is that herb that has such beautiful bright flowers when it blooms, red, orange and yellows). A little dill, goes far.

*Garlic Clove, Chives and Nasturtium

*Oregano, Basil and Thyme

*For a spicier blend, try Basil, Nasturtium flowers, Chives, Cilantro, Dried Pepper, Garlic

*Rosemary (one sprig), and equal portions of sage, basil and thyme. (Rosemary can be overpowering if you use too much, or not enough of the others.)

*Basil and Thyme

Just experiment and over time you will find some favorites that you reach for again and again.

Health-wise

It has been said that vinegar can help to remove bacteria and fungal problems among other things. It is good for one's immune system, and can lower cholesterol which is wonderful. It can help people struggling with water retention, and help balance one's blood pressure. Enhanced memory and concentration also benefit as does one's circulation. I didn't quite realize it had though I knew that herbs helped many things.

Ready to make some? Follow these steps

Supplies and Ingredients to get started Start with a clean glass, bottle, or even a plastic container that has a lid. Decide whether you want to use white distilled vinegar, cider vinegar, or wine vinegar. Have that set aside. Have all the herbs washed or rinsed if needed, and pat them dry.

**Gently push your herbs down into the clean jar or bottle of your choice, and let them come to the top, even snip it near the top, as it looks nice in the finished product.

**Next, gently pour your vinegar over your herbs and fill it to the top.

**Tightly secure the lid and place the bottle in the windowsill to enjoy. Leave this here for a few weeks, about 4 or so, and gently swish the bottle around every day. If you don't ,its no big deal, it just kind of gets things really moving and melding together well. You can strain your herbs out, after that time, then keep the vinegar in a cupboard until you need it. Make sure to use and enjoy it! Low calorie flavoring that is good for you, who could ask for more?