Caroliva balsamic
balsamico Vinegar
is a traditional heavy flavored vinegar ordinarily used
in Italian recipes. It is often used as a salad
dressing when combined with vinegar or as a marinade. It
is a traditional import originating in Modena, Italy,
where it has been Created since the Middle Ages and the
brand is protected by the Italian government. Unlike
most common vinegars, it is dark and heavy with a complex,
sweet taste and is much more pricey. True Aged balsamic
vinegar has been aged 15 years or more.
The primo balsamico vinegars
have nothing else added to them - only
the grapes. Lesser ones will add brown sugar or caramel
to feign the sweetness of the authentic balsamic vinegars. If a company
produces a "traditional" balsamic vinegar,
they will also create a less costly, but quality
vinegar as well.
View
our complimentary Balsamic vinaigrette Recipes.
Oil and vinegar Balsamic Salad dressings.
Balsamic vinegar is Made
by reduced white grapes (typically,
trebbiano grapes) that has been boiled down to about
50% ("must") and fermenting that into alcohol.
It is then once again fermented to balsamico vinegar,
with a slow aging procedure
done in oak barrels that concentrates
the flavours. The flavor is heightened over years,
with the aged balsamic vinegar being kept in fine wood barrels, becoming
sweet, thick and very concentrated in flavour. Some
aged balsamic vinegar is added to the "must"
to create a more complex and intricate taste, and to
add acidity.
The syrup is transferred
to oak casks to ferment in the open
air and then begins the long dehydration and aging process
that makes aged balsamic vinegar unique. Balsamic vinegar
does not go bad after opening as oxygen is part
of the aging process, you can appreciate your finest bottle
and use it on special entrees. Do
not overheat or cook balsamic vinegar
as it will destroy the taste.
As a key ingredient
in vinaigrette dressings, balsamic blends
very well with olive oil. Olive oil-balsamic
vinaigrette is wonderful with scallops,
fresh spinach and asparagus. A balsamic salad dressing does well
with winter veggies such as carrots, turnips, squash
and sweet potatoes, as well as new mixed greens or
baby spinach.
The Mediterranean diet,
characterized by cuisine such as Italian food, has been
gaining popularity in North America, where the consumption
of traditional Mediterranean foods, such as cold pressed
olive oil and balsamic vinegar, has been increasing.
Many people are finding this diet as a healthy alternative
to fatty foods and deep fried food preparation.
