Vinegar has been used for centuries as cooking, cleaning, and medicinal agents.
Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples and water, which produce acetic acid — the main active compound in vinegar. According to one 2006 review, apple cider vinegar comprises around 5–6% acetic acid.
Best overall
Fairchild Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother
- Type: unfiltered
Fairchild Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother is the best all-around apple cider vinegar.
Made with only 100% organic apples from Washington state, this vinegar gets great reviews for its bold apple flavor.
Unlike other brands, Fairchild Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is undiluted and only contains fermented organic apples, which means you get more pure apple cider vinegar than brands that dilute their products with water.
The vinegar is also certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), unfiltered, unheated, unpasteurized, free of concentrates, and contains “mother.”
One tablespoon (15 mL) of the vinegar provides 5 calories and less than 1 gram of carbs.
Some people prefer to buy organic over conventional apple cider vinegar for the potential health benefits, as organic products must comply with stricter regulations regarding the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
Another potential benefit of choosing organic apple cider vinegar is the diversity of beneficial bacteria it contains.
In one study comparing the bacteria content of organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar products with conventional unfiltered apple cider vinegar, the organic vinegar had a greater diversity of bacterial strains.
Gut bacteria diversity is important for overall health, as research has found an association between greater gut diversity and a reduced risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It has also been linked to benefits for immune health.
Pros
- raw, unfiltered; contains the mother
- undiluted, meaning it’s a pure vinegar that contains all of the probiotics
- USDA certified organic and contains no GMOs
- unpasteurized, meaning the enzymes are still active
Cons
- consumers report issues with the bottle, which may easily break or leak
Best for cooking
Bragg Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother
- Type: unfiltered
Bragg Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the more popular brands of apple cider vinegar on the market.
Made from organic apple cider vinegar and water, Bragg’s vinegar is USDA certified organic, non-GMO certified, and contains “mother.”
In addition to its high quality, Bragg Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar comes in a variety of sizes, including 16-ounce (473-mL), 32-ounce (946-mL), and 128-ounce (3.8-liter) bottles.
If you’re planning on cooking with apple cider vinegar on a regular basis, the 128-ounce (3.8-liter) bottle is likely the most convenient and budget-friendly option.
One tablespoon (15 mL) contains 0 calories and 0 grams of carbs.
While reviewers mention that this vinegar has a stronger acidic smell and flavor than Fairchild Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, it’s still a great option for use in salad dressings, marinades, and other culinary applications.
If you’re drinking it straight, be sure to dilute the vinegar with a little water to make it more palatable.
