A Look at the Cultural Significance of Vinegar in Southeast Asia: From Cooking to Medicinal Practices and Beyond

Countries in Southeast Asia are uniquely diverse yet kindred in a lot of ways. There are glaring similarities between the cultures in the region, one of which is the value they have for vinegar. Southeast Asia uses this sour liquid in a variety of ways. Whether it’s for cooking, pickling, or medicinal use, Southeast Asians have used vinegar for generations.

Given this love for vinegar, it would come as no surprise that the largest vinegar manufacturer in Southeast Asia comes from The Philippines. For nearly 40 years, Philippine Aslam Corporation has been the leader in vinegar manufacturing. Aslam produces the highest quality all-natural industrial and food-grade vinegar, naturally fermented without harmful chemicals.

In this article, we will explore the role of vinegar in Southeast Asian culture, focusing on cooking, pickling, preservation, medicinal use, and vinegar’s cultural significance.

Cooking with Vinegar: The Rich and Tangy Southeast Asian Cuisine

Filipino cooking has various recipes that use vinegar as the base element. The globally famous Philippine adobo uses vinegar to balance the rich and savory flavor of the soy sauce. However, there is no one version of adobo. The recipe and the vinegar used vary from one region of the country to another and from one home to another.

Filipinos commonly use cane vinegar in cooking adobo. However, in the northern part of the country, a different version of cane vinegar is used. In the Ilocos Region, the Sukang Iloko is the main component of their recipe. It has a distinct, slightly sweet aftertaste, giving the adobo a different flavor profile. 

Meanwhile, in the Visayas region and Southern parts of Luzon, the choice is coconut tuba vinegar. Made from fermented coconut sap, the coconut tuba vinegar adds a mild sourness to adobo which blends well with the other spices of the dish.

In Thailand, cooks add vinegar to dishes such as papaya salad to add tanginess and make the dish pop. The refreshing and spicy salad made with shredded green papaya, chili, lime juice, fish sauce, and cane vinegar is a local-favorite appetizer. 

Similarly, vinegar is often used in Vietnam to add sourness to soups, such as pho. Pho is a flavorful noodle soup made with beef or chicken broth. Locals add a splash of vinegar, usually coconut based, much like the coconut tuba vinegar, to this popular dish elevating the soup’s flavor.

Preserving the Harvest: The Art of Pickling with Vinegar

Pickling is a procedure done since ancient times. The most popular pickling procedure is dousing fruits, vegetables, or meat in vinegar. The primary purpose of which is to extend the life of the fresh harvest in preparation for the lean season. Pickling broke through its necessity aspect in modern times and became a culinary art form.

The best vinegars to use for pickling are the ones with milder flavors. The cane vinegar and coconut tuba vinegar are the best options for picking.

Pickling gives a different flavor dimension to the preservation technique. This change in taste and texture of the pickled produce paved the way for people to add other ingredients to vinegar to elevate the concoction. The perfect example is the local atsara, commonly made from green papaya, carrots, onions, and garlic cooked in sweetened cane vinegar.

Malaysians make a pickled vegetable dish called “acar,” which is similar to atsara. They pickle cucumbers, carrots, and shallots with cane vinegar, sugar, and spices and serve it as a side dish with rice or curry dishes.

Likewise, In Vietnam, “dua muoi,” or salted vegetables, is a popular pickling technique using local vinegar, salt, and spices. Dua muoi is usually the vegetable component of the banh mi.

Medicinal Uses of Vinegar in Southeast Asia

While we all know that all-natural vinegar has health benefits, in Southeast Asia, vinegar is also used for medicinal purposes. In the Philippines, people use vinegar as a home remedy for sunburn by applying diluted vinegar to the affected area to reduce inflammation and soothe the skin. Similarly, in Malaysia, vinegar is used to treat skin rashes and insect bites.

Indonesians often use vinegar as a natural remedy for sore throats by consuming a drink made of vinegar, honey, and ginger. This solution soothes the throat and reduces the inflammation. In Vietnam, people use naturally fermented vinegar as a home remedy for digestive issues. After meals, a cup of warm water with vinegar helps cure bloating and indigestion.

Cultural Traditions with Vinegar in Southeast Asia

Aside from its practical applications, naturally fermented vinegar also plays an important cultural role in Southeast Asia. In many countries in the region, vinegar symbolizes different things and is used to cleanse both the body and soul. 

In Indonesia, there is a traditional Javanese practice called “ruwatan.” This ritual cleanses a person’s body and soul from negative energy or bad luck. Believers bathe in a mixture of vinegar, flowers, and herbs. This bath purifies the body and wards off any negative energy or spirits. 

During the traditional “bersanding” wedding ceremony in Malaysia, the newlywed couple sits on a platform called “pelamin.” During this symbolic ritual, guests sprinkle vinegar and rice on the couple’s hands to represent a prosperous union filled with good luck.

Vinegar is an essential ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine and culture. Its versatility in cooking, pickling, preservation, and medicinal use makes it a valuable commodity in the region. 

Philippine Aslam Corporation offers the best choice for businesses looking to source all-natural industrial and food-grade vinegar. Its products, Cane Vinegar, Coconut Tuba, and Sukang Iloko are of the highest quality with 10% acidity and naturally fermented. When you partner with Aslam, you partner with a company that believes that quality products come from quality raw materials.

Contact Philippine Aslam Corporation today to start your partnership with a trusted vinegar supplier in Southeast Asia. Grow your business, grow with Aslam.