balsamic
balsamic Vinegar
is a traditional viscous flavoured vinegar normally used
in Italian cooking. It is frequently used as a salad
vinaigrette when combined with oil 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
table vinegars, it is dark and thick with a complex,
sweet flavor and is much more expensive. True Aged balsamic
vinegar has been aged in casks 15 years and upwards.
The primo balsamico vinegars
have nothing else added to them - only
the grapes. Lesser ones will include brown sugar or caramel
to mimic the sweetness of the better ones. If a company
produces a "traditional" balsamic vinegar,
they will also develop a less costly, but quality
vinegar as well.
View
our free Balsamic vinaigrette Recipes.
Oil and vinegar Balsamic Salad dressings.
Balsamic vinegar is Produced
by concentrated white grapes (typically,
trebbiano grapes) that has been boiled down to approximately
50% ("must") and fermenting that into alcohol.
It is then once again fermented to balsamico vinegar,
with a slow aging process
done in wood casks that concentrates
the flavours. The flavour is magnified over years,
with the balsamic vinegar being kept in fine wood barrels, becoming
sweet, viscous and very concentrated in flavor. Some
aged balsamico 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 unusual. Balsamic vinegar
does not go bad after opening as oxygen is part
of the aging process, you can appreciate your best bottle
and use it on special occasions. 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 great with lobster,
spinach and asparagus. A balsamic 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.