Question:Simply the Best Ham

[rfcarpenter_12532892]

Simply the Best Ham & Navy Bean Soup
Please tell me (Alton Brown style) what the VINEGAR does in this recipe'?
I have always made it EXACTLY like your recipe says (except I replace the HAM with Smoked Jalapeno Sausage).....
to but I'm curious about the vinegar....
Thanks....
Richard Carpenter, Chaplain Harris County Jail
Houston, Texas

PS: GREAT SOUP.... I have a friend that drives all the way across Houston (40 miles) for a bowl of this soup...

[duonyte]

Things that cook for long periods of time in the crockpot can become a bit "tired" from the long cooking. Cook's Illustrated and others suggest adding a little vinegar at the end to perk up the flavors of the final dish.

[Zeldaz]

Acidity balances a flavor profile, especially if there is fattiness involved. Many bean dishes call for an acidic element in some form. They are added late in the cooking as acids are alleged to toughen the beans if added too early.