You may have noticed a brown stringy mass at the bottom of your apple cider vinegar. This is the mother, and though it may look unsightly, it's very useful.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is one of the best ingredients you can use to use to brighten the flavor of coleslaw, give your barbecue sauce balance, and cut through the richness of smoked pulled pork.

Glass of apple cider vinegar with the mother present, surrounded by apples - sasimoto/Shutterstock When apple cider vinegar (ACV) isn't filtered, the bacteria that's naturally produced during the ...