Expert: Paul Wagner - 10/9/2007

Question
Hi. I'm preparing to go to college to get my culinary degree, but I still enjoy cooking meals that don't apply to baking, while keeping it halal (Islamically permissable) and I was wondering if vinegar (such as the vinegar in salad dressings and ketchup, not red wine vinegar, as that's already obvious) contains alcohol. My religion doesn't allow alcohol, so this is very important to know. I realize that unlike extracts, you can't exactly pop it in the microwave for 45-60 seconds and the alcohol be gone (well, unless you want to burn down your kitchen). Is there such a thing as "non-alcoholic" ketchup?

Thanks!

Rawdha

Answer
HI Rawdha

Most vinegars have turned the alcohol into acetic acid--that's what creates vinegar.  The acetobacteria eats the alcohol, and turns it into acid.  But there may be trace elements of alcohol in vinegar--just as there are frequently trace elements of alcohol in such things at stewed fruit and fruit juices.  The level is pretty low--below 2%.  Red wine vinegar uses red wine as a base, but it doesn't have much alcohol in it at all.  Anything that contains sugar and is then exposed to yeast will begin to ferment, albeit very slowly.  Once fermentation begins, there will be a tiny amount of alcohol.

You will have to decide what level is acceptable.  Most government regulations believe that something under 2% alcohol is OK--even for kids.  That might be a good level for you to use as well...and should make vinegar pretty safe.

Paul Wagner