Bright, clear-tasting rice vinegar is the primary vinegar in Japanese cooking and this is one of the best we’ve tasted. We like its neutral, clean flavor and how well it pairs with delicate flavors that might otherwise be overwhelmed by stronger vinegars. Try blending it with lemon or lime juice in vinaigrettes, where it boosts the citrus acidity without calling attention to itself.

This balanced sushi vinegar is wonderful for those who are just dipping their toe in the world of sushi making. Rice vinegar (which can sometimes be astringent on its own) is usually mixed with sweeteners before it’s added to sushi rice, but this one takes the guesswork out of doing it yourself—perfectly softening the high-quality rice vinegar with rich brown sugar and floral honey. A dash of sea salt brightens the mixture and melds the flavors together.