Spanish balsamic
aged balsamic Vinegar
is a traditional thick flavoured vinegar normally used
in Italian cooking. It is typically used as a salad
vinaigrette when combined with virgin olive oil or as a marinade. It
is a traditional product originating in Modena, Italy,
where it has been Made since the Middle Ages and the
brand is protected by the Italian government. Unlike
table vinegars, it is very dark and thick with a complex,
sweet taste and is much more costly. True Balsamico
vinegar has been aged 15 years or more.
The best balsamico vinegars
have no other ingredients added to them - only
the grapes. Lesser ones will add brown sugar or caramel
to simulate the sweetness of the true balsamic vinegars. If a company
makes a "traditional" aged balsamic vinegar,
they will also create a less expensive, but quality
vinegar as well.
View
our complimentary Balsamic vinaigrette Recipes.
Oil and vinegar Balsamic Salad dressings.
Balsamic vinegar is Created
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 process
done in oak casks that concentrates
the flavors. The flavor is intensified over years,
with the balsamic vinegar being kept in fine wood barrels, becoming
sweet, thick and very concentrated in flavor. Some
aged balsamic vinegar is added to the "must"
to make 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 starts the long dehydration and aging process
that makes aged balsamic vinegar striking and unique. Balsamic vinegar
does not deteriorate after opening as oxygen is part
of the aging process, you can treasure your best bottle
and use it on special occasions. Do
not overheat or cook balsamic vinegar
as it will destroy the flavor.
As a key ingredient
in vinaigrette dressings, balsamic goes
very well with olive oil. Olive oil-balsamic
vinaigrette is outstanding with lobster,
fresh spinach and asparagus. A balsamic salad dressing does well
with winter veggies such as carrots, turnips, squash
and sweet potatoes, as well as spring 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.
