The finest balsamic vinegars have nothing else added to them - only the grapes. Lesser vinegars have added brown sugar or caramel to mimic the sweetness of the better ones.

Balsamic vinegar is produced by concentrated white grapes (typically, white grapes) that has been boiled down to approximately 50% ("must") and fermenting that into alcohol. It is then once again fermented to balsamic vinegar, with a slow aging process done in oak barrels that concentrates the flavors. The flavour is intensified over years, with the vinegar being stored in fine oak barrels, becoming sweet, thick and very concentrated in flavor. Some older balsamic vinegar is added to the "must" to create a more complex and intricate taste, and to add acidity.

The thick syrup is transferred to oak barrels to ferment in the open air and then starts the long evaporation and aging procedure that makes aged balsamic vinegar unequaled. Balsamic vinegar does not degenerate after opening as oxygen is part of the aging process, you can cherish your finest bottle and use it on special occasions. Don't heat or cook balsamic vinegar as it will ruin the flavor.

As a fundamental ingredient in vinaigrette dressing, balsamic blends particularly well with quality olive oil. Olive oil-balsamic vinaigrette is great with lobster and scallops, artichokes and asparagus. A balsamic dressing does well with winter vegetables such as turnips, squash and sweet potatoes, as well as spring mixed greens and/or baby spinach.

The Mediterranean diet, characterized by cooking such as Tuscany food, has been gaining popularity in the US, where the eating of authentic Mediterranean foods, such as cold processed olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar, has been on the up swing. Many people find this diet as a healthy alternative to fatty foods and deep fried food cooking.

Additional balsamic resources.

Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Recipes - Vinaigrette Mustard Lemon - Balsamic Vinaigrette recipe serves 1 Olive Balsamic Vinaigrette recipe cooks in < 30 - Ingredients: Extra Virgin 1 Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Minced Garlic, -

Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Great Gifts - Extra Virgin Olive Oil Balsamic Vinegar Gift Packs Select extra virgin olive oil - imported from Spain Gift Pack, #77 Cruet includes Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar from Andalusia.

Healthy Salad Dressing Organic | Recipes Ingredients | Basic - Basic Vinaigrette:.