vinegar question

[Homemaker]

I don't know what a vinegar mother looks like but, I have read on hear that it is a slimy thing that forms in vinegar. Is that right?
The reason why I ask is because I have a very large glass jar that I keep distilled white vinegar in. I store the bottle in a closet. I had some rosemary in it for a long time because I use it on my hair. And the rosemary is suppose to help with scalp issues. Eventually the rosemary started to look a little shabby so I strained it. Now (and it has been awhile) there is a weird thing in the bottle. Here is what it looks like: it is translucent, thin, sits on the bottom unless I tip the jar, and it is slimy when I pull a little glob of it out of the jar? Any ideas of what it might be? It is just cheap-o store bought distilled white vinegar. So do you think I have something really neat here or just something really really gross

 

[ORChick]

It sounds like it might be a vinegar mother. However, because you say it is just regular store brand vinegar, I find that a bit hard to believe. Vinegar mother is more likely to form in unpasteurized natural vinegar. However it isn't something you need to worry about. If I were you I would strain the stuff out (give it to the compost, or send it down the sink), and continue to use the vinegar as you have been. I don't think that even *slimy stuff* could get past the vinegar acetobacter beasties to the point that the vinegar isn't good anymore. As you have been using it for your hair you might choose to continue doing that, and not use this particular batch for salad dressing.
If you are interested in producing your own vinegar you could do a search here on SS; there are several threads on the subject.

 

[Leta]

It sounds like a mother, but distilled vinegar is different because, well, it's distilled. Distillation is a different process than culturing vinegar.

BUT I am not certain about this. We should all go watch the "Good Eats" about vinegar and then report back.

 

[Beekissed]

I've had store bought vinegar to form a mother and it sounds as if yours certainly has.

 

[~gd]

VINEGAR is vinegar Yes natural vinegar is more likely to form a mother. BUT you can take distilled vinegar and with a little luck or knowledge you can get a mother growing in there. In Homemaker's case the rosemary probably supplied both the baceria that formed the mother and the food for the mother. There isn't a lot of things that can live in 5%acetic acid and that is what vinegar is.

 

[Homemaker]

We should all go watch the "Good Eats" about vinegar and then report back.

Ooo, I just might have to do that

If you are interested in producing your own vinegar you could do a search here on SS; there are several threads on the subject.

I will look into that as well!

VINEGAR is vinegar Yes natural vinegar is more likely to form a mother. BUT you can take distilled vinegar and with a little luck or knowledge you can get a mother growing in there. In Homemaker's case the rosemary probably supplied both the baceria that formed the mother and the food for the mother. There isn't a lot of things that can live in 5%acetic acid and that is what vinegar is.

Thank you. I will let the mother hang out in my closet for a bit while I learn how to take care of it.