This invention discloses a
fermentation process for preparing vinegar from black soybeans and
Codonopsis pilosula, relating to the field of vinegar
brewing technology. The process includes: controlled
germination of black soybeans to a sprout length of 2-5 mm, followed by
drying and crushing to obtain sprouted black soybean granules; crushing dried
Codonopsis pilosula roots to obtain coarse
powder; mixing crushed
sorghum with the sprouted black soybean granules,
Codonopsis pilosula coarse
powder, and Daqu (a type of
starter culture), adding water for saccharification, and then alcoholically fermenting to obtain mash; mixing the mash with rice husks, rice
bran, and wheat
bran to prepare vinegar mash, and inoculating with
acetic acid bacteria for staged temperature-controlled
fermentation: initially maintaining 34-36℃ for 3-4 days, then gradually increasing to 38-41℃ over 5-6 days,
cooling down to pH 3.8-4.0, and gradually decreasing to 32-34℃ over 2-3 days and maintaining this temperature until completion; after
acetic acid fermentation, adding salt, compacting, sealing, aging, and finally rinsing with vinegar to obtain the final product. This invention utilizes controlled
germination of black beans to selectively enrich active ingredients, and involves the coarse
powder of
Codonopsis pilosula in full fermentation to promote the
dissolution and transformation of effective ingredients. Combined with
pH gradient temperature-controlled fermentation, the resulting black bean and
Codonopsis pilosula vinegar has high levels of active ingredients and a mellow and smooth
flavor.