Apple Cider Vinegar is Not The Same as Apple Cider!
Do not make this mistake: apple cider vinegar is not the same as apple cider!
In this blog post we will discuss what is apple cider vinegar, how is it different from apple cider in the US and how is that different from apple cider in the UK? Because, spoiler alert, these are three completely different things and you can not substitute one for the other.
To save you some time, here is a quick overview of the differences between apple cider vinegar and apple cider:
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Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a type of vinegar made from fermented apples. It is commonly used in salad dressings and weight loss drinks.
There are two types of apple cider vinegar:
Filtered: the most common type of ACV. The liquid is clear, with no sediment at the bottom.
Unfiltered: this vinegar contains a cloudy sediment called “the mother”.
Both types of vinegar contain acetic acid, which is likely responsible for any benefits it may have. Contrary to popular belief, research has not found any particular benefits related to “the mother” in unfiltered vinegar.
Because of its many potential benefits, apple cider vinegar is available in many other forms, including tablets, pills, gummies, and powders.
What people in North America call "apple cider”, is basically just unfiltered and unsweetened apple juice. Even though the name suggests otherwise, the beverage is not fermented and non-alcoholic.
In Europe people will normally refer to this as “unfiltered", “cloudy”, or simply "natural" apple juice.
What people call “apple juice” on the other hand, is typically a lot more processed and often contains added sweeteners. Because of the processing, the liquid often looks lighter and more clear.
When people in Europe say “apple cider”, they usually refer to a type of alcoholic beverage made from fermented apples. Its alcohol content can vary hugely between 1.2% to 12%.
When people in North America refer to this alcoholic beverage, they will often just say “hard cider”, or just “cider".
The table below compares the nutritional value of apple vinegar, apple cider (non-alcoholic), and apple cider (alcoholic).
*The sugar and calorie content in the alcoholic type of apple cider can vary enormously. The one presented in the table above is just one example of the product.
Th main difference is that apple cider vinegar is specifically made from apple cider, whereas apple vinegar is not necessarily made that way. Apple vinegar can also refer to apple balsamic vinegar or any other variation of vinegar made from apples.
So, apple cider vinegar is apple vinegar, but not all apple vinegar is apple cider vinegar. In practice though, when people say "apple vinegar” they usually mean "apple cider vinegar".
Apple cider and apple vinegar are not the same thing. Apple cider is sweet and unfermented, whereas apple vinegar is very acidic and fermented.
In the US and Canada, “apple cider” means unfiltered and unsweetened apple juice. In contrast, "apple juice” is filtered, cooked, and often sweetened.
In Europe, the unfiltered and unsweetened type of apple juice is typically called “unfiltered", “cloudy”, or simply "natural" apple juice.
It varies. Some ciders have a relatively low alcohol content at about 1%, while other “hard" ciders can have an alcohol content of 12% or more. On the other side, “soft" apple cider (unfermented fruit juice) is alcohol free.
Still apple cider is the same as normal cider, just not carbonated. Still ciders are supposed to be consumed still, and must not be confused with sparkling ciders that have lost their bubbles.
It depends on where you live. In Europe “apple cider” is an alcoholic beverage, whereas in North America it is unfiltered apple juice.
So if you live in the US or Canada, drinking apple cider is better than drinking the more processed apple juice.
If you live in Europe, drinking the non-alcoholic fruit juice is probably better for you than drinking the alcoholic apple cider.
The difference is that apple cider is unfiltered and unsweetened, whereas apple juice is often filtered, sweetened, and often made form concentrate. Apple juice is usually much lighter in colour, while apple cider often looks “cloudy" and has some sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
Cider is closer to wine, since both are made form fermented fruit. Technically speaking cider is a sort of fruit wine, and in many countries it is classified as such. Beer in contrast, is made from fermented hops and cereals.
The main reason to drink cider instead of beer, is that cider is normally gluten-free. It also contains more alcohol, and more sugar, making it sweeter than beer.