Hengshun Zhenjiang Vinegar is a famous traditional Chinese black vinegar, also known as Chinkiang vinegar. It originates from Zhenjiang, a city in the Jiangsu province of China, and is produced by the Hengshun Group, one of the leading vinegar manufacturers in the country. Here are some key details:

1. About Hengshun Brand.

  • Heng Shun, originates from <Buddhist Hua Yan Sutra>: be alwaysobedient to all living beings. It means always obeyingthe kindneeds of all living beings.
  • In 1840, Zhu Zhaohuai from Dantu created"Zhu Heng ShunDistillery"with the business idea "to be always obedient to kind needs of all living beings", thus started the development journey of "Hundred Years Heng Shun".
  • Nowadays, HENGSHUN is the vinegar production enterprise with the largest scale and the highest modernized degree present in China. Hengshun is well known for its traditional technology of solid-state layered fermentation.
  • It has been the president company of the Chinese Condiment Association since 2008.

2. Ingredients & Production

  • Main Ingredients: Hengshun Zhenjiang Vinegar is made from high-quality glutinous rice, wheat bran, water, sugar and salt.
  • Fermentation Process: The vinegar undergoes a complex and time-honored fermentation process, where the ingredients are naturally brewed and aged, often for several months or even years. .It is made of unique solid-state layered fermentation technology. It has been refined by more than 40 procedures and fermentation for 21 days.This aging process helps to develop its unique depth of flavor.
  • Good environment:Zhenjiang is located in north latitude 30 degrees, known as the "Ring of God". With four distinct seasons, a humid climate, surrounded by mountains and water, it is most conducive to microbial fermentation and the cultivation of acetic acid bacteria.
  • Good raw materials:strictly selected high-quality rice as raw materials, which not only has the unique flavor of "sour but not astringent, smell but slightly sweet", but also has the health care function of stimulating appetite and digestion, beauty and beauty.
  • Good water source:Zhenjiang is located in the Yangtze River Delta region, and with rich in water sources and excellent water quality. "Zhongling Spring" is known as the first spring in the world, to provide abundant high-quality water sources for vinegar brewing. In the ancient book of the Tang Dynasty, taking the Jiangnan spring water as an example, the "Zhongling Spring" in Zhenjiang was rated as the first spring in the world, and the Huishan Spring inWuxi as the second spring.
  • Good bacteria: after years of careful screening and long-term domestication, a unique high-quality microbial flora structure has been formed, ensuring the consistent good taste of Hengshun vinegar. At present, Hengshun is a national enterprise technology center, with a professional strain research and preservation laboratory and high-level and high-quality professional talents.
  • Good utensils: choose a high-quality Yixing pottery jar to dry in the open air, in the later aging process, through the winter and summer, the sun and rain, making the product rich smell and mellow taste.
  • Good craftsmen:generations of Hengshun people adhere to craftsmanship, and constantly inherit the ancient brewing techniques, and emerged mastersof craftsmen represented by Qiao Guiqing, an inheritor of national intangible cultural heritage.

3. Flavor Profile

  • Taste: It is known for its mellow, rich, and slightly sweet taste, with a mild tartness compared to other vinegars like balsamic or white vinegar.
  • Aroma: The vinegar has a deep, earthy aroma, with complex undertones from the fermentation process.

4. Uses in Cooking

  • Dipping Sauce: Commonly used as a dipping sauce for dumplings, particularly in regions of China.
  • Marinades and Stir-fries: Often included in marinades for meats or in stir-fry dishes to add a sweet, tangy flavor.
  • Dressings: Used in salad dressings, particularly in Asian cuisine, to balance out flavors.
  • Braised Dishes: Adds richness and complexity to braised meat and fish dishes.

5. Health Benefits

  • Like many fermented products, Zhenjiang vinegar is said to have digestive benefits due to its probiotics and enzymes.
  • It may also have antioxidant properties and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for various purposes, including improving blood circulation and aiding digestion.

6. Global Popularity

  • Hengshun Zhenjiang Vinegar is widely available in Chinese grocery stores globally and is highly regarded by chefs and home cooks for its distinct flavor.

Sources:

  • Hengshun Aromatic Vinegar Improves Glycolipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus via Regulating PGC-1α/PGC-1β Pathway

[1]

  • Characterization of the key aroma compounds in aged Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar by gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry, quantitative measurements, aroma recombination and omission experiments

[2]

  • Investigation of Zhenjiang Aromatic Vinegar Production Using a Novel Dry Gelatinization Process

[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Hengshun Aromatic Vinegar Improves Glycolipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus via Regulating PGC-1α/PGC-1β Pathway - PMC".
  2. ^ Zhou, Zhilei; Jian, Dongzhen; Gong, Min; Zhu, Shenghu; Li, Guoquan; Zhang, Si; Zhong, Fang; Mao, Jian (October 1, 2020). "Characterization of the key aroma compounds in aged Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar by gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry, quantitative measurements, aroma recombination and omission experiments". Food Research International. 136: 109434. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109434 – via ScienceDirect.
  3. ^ Wang, Ke; Shi, Yuxuan; Feng, Jiaxue; Zhao, Yi; Zhu, Hao; Chen, Di; Gong, Xiaojie; Fang, Meihui; Yu, Yongjian (January 17, 2024). "Investigation of Zhenjiang Aromatic Vinegar Production Using a Novel Dry Gelatinization Process". Foods. 13 (7): 1071. doi:10.3390/foods13071071 – via www.mdpi.com.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)