People are just discovering secret every chip shop keeps about its vinegar

Most Brits have been eating fish and chips since birth, so naturally, a lot of us reckon we're experts on the stuff.

But it turns out that our beloved chippies have been keeping a secret about one of the most beloved condiments all of this time.

We all have our favourite accompaniments when it comes to the quintessential British dish - with some opting to smother it in gravy, while others go wild and cover it in curry sauce.

Still, nothing will replace the classic combination of lashings of salt and vinegar on your chippy tea. However, the dark liquid which covers the batter of our cod and pours over our chips isn't actually the real deal.

That's right - more often than not, fish and chip shops in the UK aren't putting actual vinegar on your meal.

What if I told you the 'vinegar' you put on your fish and chips isn't actually vinegar? (Laura Zapata/Bloomberg)

This shocking news first came to light for a lot of people back in 2016, when YouTuber Tom Scott shared a clip discussing the bizarre nugget of knowledge.

He explained that a lot of chippies instead opt for a malt vinegar substitute made with water, acetic acid, and flavourings, rather than the actual stuff.

In the video, he explained: "Most people don’t know that this isn’t vinegar. Legally, it can’t be described as vinegar.

"Trading standards are really clear on that. It cannot be put in the little bottles that people traditionally associate with vinegar."

So, why on earth are we being saddled with a vinegar substitute rather than the genuine stuff?

Well, the clue is in the name - as this 'non-brewed condiment' doesn't have to go through the lengthy two-step fermentation process like real vinegar.

As it bypasses the brewing process, it's a lot less time-consuming to produce, meaning it's also cheaper too. As well as this, the vinegar substitute can also be bought in concentrated form so it is easier to transport and store.

Chippies tend to use a non-brewed condiment instead (Getty Stock Image)

Another bonus which comes with using this stuff is that it is more inclusive to a wider customer base, as this doesn't require alcohol to make.

As a result, it's halal - and some brands are gluten-free too, again making it easier for people to get their vinegar fix. Despite all these advantages, the news still came as quite the blow to Brits who watched Tom's video.

One person said: "I always wondered why I couldn't get the same vinegar taste on my chips at home. Now I know and all this has done is pushed me into finding somewhere that sells 'non-brewed condiment'.

Another added: "The real stuff just tastes so much better," while a third wrote: "This would explain the 'weak as p**s' taste to chippie vinegar these days. They dilute it too much."

A fourth added: "My whole life I have wondered why I could never replicate the taste of chip shop vinegar at home. Now I know the truth."

While a fifth chimed in: "Chip shop ‘non-brewed condiment’ tastes much better on chips than malt vinegar, but real vinegar tastes better on other things, like a fry up, egg-bread and fried bread and cheese."

So, which do you prefer?