Best Malt Vinegars of 2026
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Malt vinegars are a type of vinegar made from malted barley and other grains. They are a popular condiment used in British cuisine, particularly for fish and chips. Malt vinegars come in a variety of flavours and strengths, ranging from light and mild to dark and pungent. They can also be used in marinades, dressings, and pickling recipes. While there are many brands of malt vinegar available, it is important to choose a high-quality product that is made from natural ingredients and has a well-balanced flavour.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 9 Malt Vinegars
Sarson's 5 Litres Malt Vinegar
Sarson's Malt Vinegar offers a practical storage solution with its environmental storage type, ensuring you can store it safely while being eco-friendly. Packaged in a convenient plastic bottle, it makes pouring and using the vinegar easy and mess-free. Please note, it contains barley and gluten, so it’s important to consider if you have allergies. This 5-litre container is perfect for those who love cooking and need a reliable supply of malt vinegar for various recipes.
Pride 5 Litre Distilled Pure Malt Vinegar
Pride Malt Vinegar is a premium product established in 1974, crafted from natural malted barley in the UK. This versatile vinegar is perfect for pickling, enhancing your home cooking, and serving as a condiment. You will find it a great addition to your recipes, bringing a rich flavour to salads and marinades. Additionally, its bulk 5-litre packaging ensures you have enough vinegar for all your culinary needs without the hassle of frequent repurchases.
Artisan Malt Vinegar - Award-Winning Quality
The Artisan Malt Vinegar is a multi-award-winning product, recognised as one of the world’s finest malt vinegars. Brewed traditionally and naturally fermented in Cornwall, it offers a rich flavour that enhances your culinary creations. Made with 100% natural ingredients, you can enjoy this vinegar without worrying about preservatives or artificial additives. Its deep, dark colour and intense flavour, complemented by a hint of sweetness and a chocolate finish, make it a delightful addition to salads, marinades, and more.
Heinz Malt Vinegar 250ml Bottles Case of 6
The Heinz Malt Vinegar is supplied in convenient 250ml bottles, perfect for everyday use in your kitchen. With six bottles in each bulk pack, you’ll have plenty to keep stocked for dressings, marinades, or seasoning your favourite dishes. Made from barley, this malt vinegar offers an authentic taste with a golden colour and a tangy flavour, enhancing your meals with a classic British touch. The Heinz Malt Vinegar is an ideal choice for those who appreciate quality and tradition in their cooking ingredients.
Puregro 5 Litres Malt Vinegar for Cooking
Puregro Malt Vinegar is a versatile 5-litre bottle that is perfect for various culinary uses. Whether you are pickling vegetables or enhancing your cooking, this vinegar adds a delightful tang. You can also sprinkle it over your chips for an extra burst of flavour, making it a great condiment. With its quality and convenience, this product is an essential addition to your kitchen, allowing you to elevate your favourite dishes effortlessly.
The Chefs Kitchen Malt Vinegar 2.5L for Pickling and Chips
The Chefs Kitchen Malt Vinegar is ideal for pickling and adding that classic flavour to your chips, giving you the authentic taste of a traditional chip shop. It is traditionally brewed and professionally produced, ensuring you enjoy a fresh and natural flavour every time. With a generous 2.5-litre size, this vinegar is perfect for both home cooks and busy kitchens, providing enough quantity for bulk use. Whether you’re flavouring meals or preserving foods, this malt vinegar offers convenience and quality for everyday use.
Puregro Malt Vinegar Pack of 2
Puregro Malt Vinegar is a versatile addition to your kitchen, offered in a convenient pack of two 5-litre bottles. It is excellent for pickling, allowing you to preserve vegetables with ease and enhance their flavours. You can also use it in cooking, adding a tangy kick to your favourite dishes. Additionally, it serves as a delightful condiment, perfect for sprinkling over chips or enhancing your meals. With its great quality, you’ll find that this vinegar elevates the taste of your food effortlessly.
Traditional Real Chip Shop Maltflaven Vinegar 315ml
The Maltflaven Vinegar Condiment offers an authentic fish and chip shop experience right at home. Its genuine traditional taste allows you to enjoy the classic flavour that many love, enhancing the enjoyment of your meals. This ready-to-use non-brewed condiment saves you time and effort, making it a convenient addition to your kitchen. You can easily add a tangy twist to fish, chips, and other dishes, bringing out their best flavours with minimal fuss.
Puregro 5 Litres Distilled Malt Vinegar
Puregro Malt Vinegar is a versatile 5-litre product perfect for spiced vinegars and light-coloured pickling of fruits and vegetables. You can enhance the flavour of your favourite foods with this vinegar, making it an excellent base for sauces and marinades. Additionally, it serves a dual purpose, as you can also use it for cleaning around your home. With its great quality, this vinegar is an essential item for any kitchen, providing both culinary and household benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a malt vinegar?
Malt vinegar is a vinegar made from malted grains of barley. It has a tart flavor and can help to enhance the flavors of other foods it is paired with. It is best known for topping fish and chips.
2. How is malt vinegar different from vinegar?
Malt vinegar is sweeter, milder on the palate, and less acidic than white vinegar. It has a more complex, nutty flavour and a warm caramel colour thanks to the fermented barley. It takes longer to make and requires more skill, which is why it's usually more expensive to buy.
3. Is white vinegar same as malt vinegar?
The main difference between white vinegar and malt vinegar is that white vinegar is purified vinegar. It is made with only acid and water. Malt vinegar, on the other hand, is grain-based vinegar made from malting barley. Malt vinegar is milder and sweeter in taste than white vinegar.
4. Is balsamic vinegar and malt vinegar the same?
They are both brown-colored vinegar used to enhance the flavor of a lot of dishes. The difference between malt and balsamic vinegar is that malt vinegar is produced from malted barley while balsamic vinegar is made from the must of white grape juice and left to age.
During our malt vinegar research, we found 89 malt vinegar products and shortlisted 9 quality products. We collected and analyzed 15,362 customer reviews through our big data system to write the malt vinegars list. We found that most customers choose malt vinegars with an average price of £7.46.
The malt vinegars are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of malt vinegars, including Sarson's, CONSUMER'S PRIDE, Artisan Malt Vinegar, HEINZ, Puregro.
Kiera Browne served as chef and caterer in Purslane Restaurant for three years before establishing her restaurant. Kiera now owns two restaurants and a culinary school all over the United Kingdom. Kiera has featured in magazines and editorials, providing recipes for various dishes. Using her skills and knowledge in the culinary field, Kiera has published few pamphlets on preparing various cuisines.