balsamic vinager
balsamic Vinegar
is a traditional viscous flavored vinegar commonly used
in Italian food preparation. It is sometimes used as a salad
dressing when combined with virgin olive oil or as a marinade. It
is a traditional import that was developed in Modena, Italy,
where it has been Produced 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 flavor and is much more costly. True Aged balsamic
vinegar has been aged in casks fifteen years and upwards.
The finest balsamic vinegars
have no other ingredients added to them - only
the grapes. Lesser vinegars will add brown sugar or caramel
to imitate the sweetness of the true balsamic vinegars. If a company
makes a "traditional" balsamico vinegar,
they will also create a less expensive, but quality
vinegar as well.
View
our free Balsamic Recipes.
Oil and vinegar Balsamic Salad dressings.
Balsamic vinegar is Created
by reduced 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 procedure
done in oak barrels that concentrates
the flavors. The flavour is heightened over years,
with the aged balsamic vinegar being kept in fine oak barrels, becoming
sweet, viscous and very concentrated in flavor. Some
older 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 evaporation and aging process
that makes aged balsamic vinegar unusual. Balsamic vinegar
does not deteriorate after opening as oxygen is part
of the aging process, you can appreciate your finest bottle
and use it on special occasions. Do
not heat or cook balsamic vinegar
as it will ruin the taste.
As a key component
in vinaigrette dressings, balsamic blends
very well with olive oil. Olive oil-balsamic
vinaigrette is outstanding with seafood,
artichokes 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.
