Many fish and chips lovers have been reacting in shock to the revelation that the vinegar on their Friday night takeaway may not actually be vinegar. Chip shops often use something else that tastes almost the same but has a number of benefits.
A product called 'non-brewed condiment' may be used instead. It recreates the taste people will be familiar with but cannot actually be classified as vinegar, LadBible reports.
Most people will probably never notice as the flavour is so similar. And fish and chip shops love it as it is cheaper, easier to store as it can be concentrate, and some brands are halal or gluten-free.
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YouTuber Tom Scott has spoken about the condiment in the past in his video 'The Fake Vinegar in British Fish and Chip Shops'. He explained: "Legally, it can’t be described as vinegar. Trading standards are really clear on that. It cannot be put in the little bottles that people traditionally associate with vinegar."
One viewer, called @Clearz3600, seemed to suggest they liked the alternative though, commenting: “My whole life I have wondered why I could never replicate the taste of chip shop vinegar at home. Now I know the truth."
Another viewer said they worked in a fish and chip shop and had had loads of customers mentioning the video to them since it went viral. @B.A.K.A wrote: “As someone who works in a fish and chip shop, we’ve had so many people coming in who’ve seen this video and tried to be smart by saying 'erm, can I get some non-brewed condiment'. Kind of interesting to see the reach and influence your videos have :).”
@Jcts123 added: "I had absolutely no idea! And now that I know, I couldn’t care less. I have actually always preferred the vinegar on the counter and always wondered why it tastes better than the well know branded bottle in my cupboard!"
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