Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Julia Banim & Courtney Pochin

Fish and chip shops don't actually give you real vinegar when you ask for it

There's nothing quite like a plate of fish and chips on a Friday night after a long week at work - and as today (June 2) is officially National Fish and Chip Day, you have pretty much the perfect excuse to nip down to your local chippy.

Many of us will of course give a hearty 'yes' when asked whether we want salt and vinegar on our chips, with the distinctive vinegary chip being one of the great hallmarks of the chippy tea.

Some may be disappointed to learn however that chip shops don't actually give you vinegar when you ask for it, despite what your satisfied tastebuds may be telling you.

This is according to YouTuber Tom Scott, who explained that many chip shops will in fact use something known as a non-brewed condiment rather than vinegar.

In a video that left many of his followers shocked to their core, Tom explained: "This is non-brewed condiment. It's water, ethanoic acid, plus a few colourings and flavourings.

"And in almost all the chip shops up and down Britain, this is the 'vinegar' you'll get on the counter."

Many have been wondering for years why they couldn't replicate the taste at home (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

According to Tom, chippies favour non-brewed condiment over vinegar as it takes less time to make and can also be bought in concentrated form.

On top of this, this little known condiment, which looks identical to vinegar, has various other benefits, including the fact that it doesn't contain alcohol, ensuring it's halal and suitable for customers who are teetotal.

One amazed follower commented: "'Does it matter'? Yes, it does. 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 wrote: "Always wondered why I could never find vinegar that tasted like chip shop vinegar and now I know, it's because it isn't vinegar I'm after. Thank you dude!"

Do you have a food-related story to share? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.