When it comes to pantry staples that pull double duty, few earn their keep like apple cider vinegar (AKA ACV). Beloved by chefs, home cooks, DIY enthusiasts and wellness devotees alike, ACV has become the jack-of-all-trades ingredient everyone keeps within reach.It’s tangy, potent and sharp, with a fruity bite that instantly brightens salad dressings, marinades and sauces. But it’s also taken on a new life outside the kitchen. These days, you can find ACV used for heartburn relief, as a wellness shot, a hair tonic and a natural cleaner that can make stainless steel sparkle. Talk about range!While many of us grab the same cloudy bottle we’ve bought on autopilot for years (lookin' at you, Bragg), the truth is the world of apple cider vinegars has expanded in recent years. Some are organic and unfiltered, while others are pasteurized and stripped of the beneficial bacteria (those are the pieces floating around your bottle, known as the "mother").To help you find the very best apple cider vinegar, I rolled up my sleeves, lined up a baker's dozen bottles, and tasted them straight from the spoon and whisked them into a classic vinaigrette. Along the way, I also talked to a registered dietitian to find out what to look for when shopping for ACV and whether the vinegar's buzzy health claims really hold up. Here’s what to know before you buy and which bottles deserve that space on your pantry shelf.
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What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made by fermenting apple juice twice, first into alcohol, then into acetic acid. That acid is what gives vinegar its signature tang and preservative power. Raw, unfiltered ACV often contains strands of beneficial bacteria known as the "mother,” which forms naturally during fermentation and contributes to ACV's cloudy appearance.In cooking, ACV is prized for its balance of fruity sweetness and assertive acidity, making it ideal for everything from quick pickles and salad dressings to deglazing pans, tenderizing meat or cutting the richness in soups and sauces. Because it’s less sharp than white vinegar and more complex than plain apple cider, it adds a bright, nuanced layer of flavor, especially in recipes where you want a touch of natural sweetness.Related: I Tried 10 Popular Apple Cider Brands and You Can Buy the Winner at Costco
What To Look for When Shopping for Apple Cider Vinegar
According to registered dietitian Miranda Hammer, MS, RD, CDN, not all apple cider vinegars are the same, and the best bottles are the ones that stay as close to nature as possible.“Look for brands that are raw and unpasteurized,” she tells Parade, noting that heat can destroy the beneficial enzymes and bacteria that give ACV its potential health perks. You’ll also want to look for the cloudy strands known as the "mother,” which are made up of beneficial bacteria that aid in the fermentation process.When scanning ingredient lists, Hammer recommends choosing brands that contain only apple cider vinegar and water, steering clear of any brands that list added sugar or preservatives. Because apples appear on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list for pesticide residue, it’s also smart to opt for brands made with organic apples, if you're able. Because vinegar is naturally acidic, Hammer suggests selecting glass bottles over plastic to avoid any potential chemicals from leaching from the bottle into the vinegar.
As for the much-hyped health benefits, Hammer says the research is mixed. “While many of the claims are overstated, there is some evidence that ACV may slightly lower fasting glucose levels and HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes,” she explains. It may also help reduce blood sugar spikes after a carb-heavy meal, but it shouldn’t replace proven medical treatments. And despite all the talk of ACV for weight loss, Hammer says the link is weak at best.Wondering when to take it? If you’re using ACV to support blood-sugar balance, Hammer suggests sipping it just before or with a meal rather than on an empty stomach. Straight shots of vinegar can irritate the throat and stomach or wear down tooth enamel, so always dilute it with water or mix it into a dressing or drink instead.Related: We Tried 9 Prebiotic & Probiotic Sodas and You Can Buy Our Top Pick at Costco
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How I Tested These Apple Cider Vinegars
I tested each of these ACVs in three ways. First came the sniff test, because some bottles smell pleasantly fruity and balanced while others veer into nail-polish-remover territory. Next, I tasted each one straight by the spoonful to gauge how harsh or smooth it was on its own. Finally, I whisked them into a simple vinaigrette made with Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt and pepper. I judged each vinegar on its aroma, flavor balance, tang and overall drinkability. The best ones struck that perfect mix of fruity brightness, gentle acidity and versatility.Related: I Juiced Lemons Using 6 Different Methods and the Winner Was Very Clear
13 Apple Cider Vinegars, Ranked Worst To Best
13. Stop & Shop Apple Cider Vinegar
Light in color and almost completely flavorless, this one barely registers as apple cider vinegar. It’s missing the tang, depth and aroma that make ACV useful in the first place. This one is an easy skip.Related: I Tried 14 Store-Bought Lemonades and the Winner Won By a Landslide
12. Good & Gather Apple Cider Vinegar
This Target store brand option is filtered and clear, with no trace of “the mother,” or any apple flavor for that matter. This one tastes more like plain vinegar than ACV. It’ll work in a recipe if you’re in a pinch, but it doesn't make for a delicious salad dressing.
11. Mike’s Amazing Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
This brand is triple-filtered for purity and impressively smooth, but all of that refining strips away the flavor. It’s clean and mild but lacks the punch or apple notes you want in an ACV.
10. Brad’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
I had high hopes for this fancy-looking bottle, but it is very light in color and heavy on the acid, which made it taste unbalanced and overly sharp. The small flecks of “mother” are different from the strands and clumps in the other bottles and it's missing a crisp sweetness from the apples.Related: I Tried 13 Popular Coconut Water Brands and the Winner Was a 10/10
9. Bowl + Basket Apple Cider Vinegar
This brand from the ShopRite grocery store chain is pasteurized and clear with a surprisingly fruity taste. It was pleasant enough, but I found it overly mild with not enough complexity or tang to really shine.
8. Heinz All Natural Apple Cider Vinegar
Heinz can be found in pretty much every grocery store, and it's not a bad choice. I thought it was the best of the filtered bunch, with a smooth texture and balanced flavor. For me, it's also a nostalgic choice, given this is the only bottle of ACV I remember seeing growing up. It’s not overly apple-forward, but it’s steady, dependable, and great for everyday cooking.
7. Trader Joe’s Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
Trader Joe's ACV is cloudy and unfiltered with a visible “mother” and is crisp, clean and quite acidic. It’s not very fruity, but it delivers the bite you expect from classic ACV. This is a solid choice if you're looking to stock up on vinegar on your next TJ's run.Related: I Tried 11 Different Canned Salmons and the Winner Has a Permanent Place in My Pantry
6. Simply Nature Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
Aldi's store brand ACV is unpasteurized and unfiltered and tastes nearly identical to Trader Joe’s. It's clean, balanced and very affordable, making it an easy pick for anyone who uses ACV regularly.
5. Spectrum Culinary Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
This brand was smooth, mellow and refined with gentle apple notes that don’t overwhelm. I thought the apple flavor was lovely and balanced. It's a great option if you like your vinegar to blend quietly into dressings and marinades.
4. 365 Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
The Whole Foods' brand ACV was the darkest in color and the most robust of the group, with a distinct apple aroma and balanced acidity. It’s rich, flavorful and one of the few that truly tastes like fermented fruit (in the best way).Related: I Tried 11 Popular Cold Brew Concentrates To Find the One You Should Stock in Your Fridge
3. Cento Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
Cento's ACV was bright, balanced and pleasantly fruity with just the right level of acidity. Imported from Italy, it feels premium but approachable, making it the perfect choice for vinaigrettes or tonics.
2. Bragg Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
Bragg brand ACV is the benchmark for a reason: It's tangy, full-bodied and unmistakably apple-forward. It’s bold but not harsh, and its reliable quality explains why it’s been a pantry staple for decades.
1. Steve’s & Ed’s Organic Raw & Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
The top spot goes to a new-to-my-pantry brand, but a welcome addition! I loved that the flavor was perfectly balanced between tart and fruity, with a smooth, well-rounded finish. Imported from Italy and beautifully packaged, this ACV feels special enough for sipping and versatile enough for cooking. Win win!
What surprised me most about this taste test is how different apple cider vinegars can be, even when the labels all promise the same thing. I also want to mention something I noticed: The more expensive bottles had the best flavor, a classic get what you pay for scenario.
The best bottles—Steve’s & Ed’s, Bragg and Cento—struck a balance between sharp acidity and real apple flavor, proving that great ACV doesn’t have to knock you off your feet to get your attention. Whether you’re whisking it into a vinaigrette, adding a splash to a sauce, trying to cure your heartburn or chasing that wellness-shot glow, look for unfiltered versions with the “mother” and clean, simple ingredients. Because when it comes to apple cider vinegar, balance really is everything.
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Miranda Hammer, MS, RD, CDN and founder of The Crunchy Radish.Hence then, the article about i tried 13 different apple cider vinegars and found a new favorite brand was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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