How to Get the Health Benefits of Vinegar without Gagging

Google apple cider vinegar and you’ll be drowning in articles singing its praises, and with good reason. Although let’s face it, it doesn't taste great. If you’re able to down it with water, well cheers to you.

For those of us who need to disguise it a little, here are some ideas on how to ingest this bodily miracle worker without a puckered up Jim-Carrey face.*

But first, what is apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar, or ACV to those in the know, is a type of vinegar made by crushing apples and squeezing out the liquid. Bacteria and yeast are added to the liquid to start the fermentation – a process that converts sugars to alcohol. Then some next level fermentation occurs where the alcohol is converted into vinegar by acetic acid-forming bacteria. Now you have ACV!

Make sure that you are buying unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, which contains the ‘mother of vinegar’ – a cloudy cobweb looking mass which sinks to the bottom of the bottle. It sounds a bit gross, but it’s fine, in fact it’s the best bit!*

Heard of a Shrub? How do You Make One?

Also known as a drinking-vinegar syrup, a "shrub" can be a very handy drink concentrate to have in the fridge for a hot summer's day or a slightly queasy stomach.

Image by Beth Denham photography + food stylist

Apple Cider Vinegar Berry Shrub *

1/2 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup filtered water
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high for about 40 seconds. Pour into a glass jar and store in the fridge for 1 - 2 days before using. The vinegar taste will decrease over time. To serve: Pour about 2 tablespoons into a glass of soda or sparkling water

Summer's coming: What about a Spritzer?

Consuming vinegar before a sugary or high carb meal can help slow the rush of sugar to your blood stream. Your blood sugar spike should resemble a small hill instead of Mt.Ruapehu!

Apple Cider Vinegar Spritzer *

1 sprig mint
1 sprig rosemary
1 x 2cm piece of fresh ginger root
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
Juice of 1 x medium orange
1 cup sparkling water
1 tablespoon raw Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 - 2 teaspoons aromatic bitters

Mix up the first 5 ingredients in a glass. Then sir in the remaining. Strain and serve on ice.

* Thank you to Ceres Organics for their info and recipes

There must be at least 10, 11, 12+ reasons to use apple cider vinegar:

• Improves nutrient absorption in the gut
• Oral health: Good against bad breath and coffee stains on teeth
• Good source of antioxidants
• Reduces the feeling of 'bloating"
• Soothes stings - apply without dilution
• Helps level out blood sugar
• Deodorises smelly feet - wipe your feet with diluted vinegar, it kills the bacteria
• Can help heartburn
• Can help with weight loss (more on that another time)
• Kills weed - apply undiluted to unwanted plants instead of a herbicide
• Can help as a skin toner for acne

Dilute vinegar first before drinking, applying to skin, or gargling.

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Fresh New Zealand Apple Cider Vinegar

We have several types of apple cider vinegar available, NZ made and imported in 10 litre, 5 litre and 2 litre bulk and also in smaller sizes.

A Vinegar Drink You Don't Have to Make Yourself

Ginger Spice Apple Cider Vinegar Drink - if you haven't got time to make a Shrub or a Spritzer try this vinegar drink by Bragg.