The Fake Vinegar In British Fish and Chip Shops

"Non-brewed condiment" is what they call it: it's chemically very similar to proper vinegar, a mixture of ethanoic acid, colourings and flavourings, but it's put together by just combining simple chemicals rather than brewing. Hardly anyone knows, and those that do know don't generally care; so here's my question. Does it matter?

and Instagram and Snapchat as tomscottgo

[clearz]

"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.

[blackspike]

You can see all his footprints from the previous takes.

[xef]

I love the fact that collectively, every chip shop owner just went "and what're you gonna do about it"

[tyronos]

"Does it matter?"

*through tears* IT MATTERS TO ME

[broadsword]

“Does it matter?”

I don’t know, Tom. You’re the one who raised the subject. You tell me!

[gammamaster]

1:27 can’t believe you missed the chance to say “they have bigger fish to fry”

[smitajky]

The funny thing is that retail the customers have been demanding higher "quality" vinegar at a higher price. Wine vinegar, cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar.
If the fish and chip shop was honest and offered the real stuff I think many people would consider the shop as "premium" and would be prepared to pay more for the product.
We have had such things where the shops have sold baked fish rather than fried. And they do fine commercially.

[armchairgeneralissimo]

A couple years back I swore I had some kind of reaction to the batter mix the chip shop was using, this makes sense of that situation they just didn't water down their "vinegar" enough and I got burnt.

[prophecycat]

This is so crazy! I remember visiting Folkestone in 2016 and looking out of the window of my room in the Grand Burstin hotel and thinking to myself “what is that guy on the beach filming?” Now I finally know it was Tom!

[jurgenkloppyearsand]

I actually prefer pure methanol on my chips

[spootymaniacs]

Thank you Tom, this is why I only drink Organic, Free-Range, Grass-fed, Mineral water.

[laernulienlaernulienlaernu]

It's not as bad as when you go in a sandwich shop and they say "do you want butter on your bun?" And then proceed to spread cheap vegetable spread all over it!

[kiruppert]

Similarly, I once had a tough morning trying to convince my dad that his bottle of a popular pancake syrup was not actually maple syrup and did not even claim to be so anywhere on the package.

[circle]

"you want salt & vinegar on your chips"

"no i want some ethanoic acid, colourings and flavourings on it plz"

[shroomzys]

I got really annoyed when I went back to the chippy I worked at as a kid and they'd way overdiluted the "vinegar", so I ended up with soggy falourless chips

[MichaelClark-uwex]

I remember years ago, here in the states, Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips chain actually used real Malt Vinegar.
Although I can't say if vinegar in little plastic packets is still authentic but US food and labeling laws require it to be what the label says it is.
That was the only place I ever remember using real Malt Vinegar.

[bigbillbob]

"You want Salt and Vinegar?" Sounds better than

"You want Salt and Water, Acidity-Regulator, Ammonia Caramel?"

[Bakabakaonichan]

As someone who works in a fish and chip shop, we’ve had so many people coming in who’ve seen this video and tried to be smart by saying “erm, can I get some non-brewed condiment”. Kind of interesting to see the reach and influence your videos have :)

[kris-p-]

you know what I love about scott? I thought this was a recent video, his format barely changes if ever. And this video was still entertaining to watch af thanks tom

[rogerexwood]

Yes it matters, like the difference between real ale and keg. The Sarson’s vinegar brewery used to be next to the approach tracks to London Bridge station. Building is now industrial chic apartments.