balsamic vinegar
aged balsamic Vinegar
is a authentic viscous flavoured vinegar usually used
in Italian food preparation. It is frequently used as a salad
dressing when combined with 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
common vinegars, it is dark and viscous with a complex,
sweet taste and is much more costly. True Balsamic
vinegar has been aged 15 years or more.
The finest balsamico vinegars
have nothing else added to them - only
the trebbiano grapes. Lesser common vinegars will include brown sugar or caramel
to mimic the sweetness of the true balsamic vinegars. If a company
produces a "traditional" balsamic vinegar,
they will also develop a less expensive, but quality
vinegar as well.
View
our free Gourmet Balsamic vinaigrette Recipes.
Oil and vinegar Balsamic Dressings.
Balsamic vinegar is Created
by concentrated 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 wood barrels that concentrates
the flavors. The flavour is intensified over decades,
with the balsamic vinegar being kept in fine wood barrels, becoming
sweet, thick and very concentrated in flavour. 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 casks to ferment in the open
air and then starts the long dehydration and aging process
that makes aged balsamic vinegar unique. Balsamic vinegar
does not deteriorate after opening as oxygen is part
of the aging process, you can cherish your finest bottle
and use it on special entrees. Do
not overheat or cook balsamic vinegar
as it will destroy the flavor.
As a key ingredient
in vinaigrette dressings, balsamic goes
especially 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 fresh 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.
