[green fingers]

oh thanks for this.  I have learned such a lot from all the replies. I assumed sarsons pickling vinegar was for everything, but now realise it is too strong for beetroot.
Have pickled one lot with malt vinegar, corianader and black peppercorns, plus some sugar.
Next batch will try other spices, maybe chilli and white wine vinegar

[purplebat]

This is my first year of pickling and for the onions and shallots I used pickling vinegar but the beetroot I just put straight in normal white vinegar, since then everything I've read says I should boil it with spices but I haven't used any spices, have I done it wrong?  :oops:

[Trillium]

Spices arre really just for flavouring. But bay leaves help to firm up pickles a bit so they're not so squishy. I never put spice in my beetroots and they were always fine.

[green fingers]

Having read all the replies I decided to use malt vingegar and put in black peppercorns and some coriander and sugar. Tried some last night -  Beautiful, might put in a little more sugar next time