Ever wonder what balsamic vinegar is and how it is made?
But what is balsamic vinegar, really?
How is it made?
Elise Bauer
Whats the difference between white balsamic and regular balsamic vinegar?
What makes some balsamic vinegar so expensive?
Earlier this year I spent a week in Italy on an intensive educational trip to learn about balsamic vinegar.
Elise Bauer
What Is Balsamic Vinegar?
Balsamic vinegar comes from an Italian vinegar making process dating back to the middle ages.
There are two main types.
Elise Bauer
A highly crafted product, traditional balsamic vinegar is produced in small batches.
It is sweet, tart, dark, syrupy, andexpensive.
You will only find this seriously pricy vinegar in a specialty store or online.
The landscape of Emilio Romana region of Italy.Elise Bauer
This vinegar is typically aged from 2 months to 3 years in large oak barrels.
It can range in consistency from thin to syrupy.
As mentioned, traditional balsamic vinegar (a.k.a.
Barrels for aging traditional balsamic vinegar.Elise Bauer
Grape must is theonlyingredient in traditional balsamic vinegar.
As the vinegar ages in the barrels, it acquires flavors from the wood, and its acidity mellows.
For Modena, bottles can only be labeled as having vinegar that is either aged 12 or 25 years.
Barrels of traditional balsamic vinegar aging in a private attic.Elise Bauer
The vinegar has received high praise from Ruth Reichl, Chef Paul Bertolli, and Saveur Magazine.
You don’t cook with traditional balsamic vinegar.Heat would destroy the subtle flavors, and waste this precious liquid.
You will get hints of the different woods and the sweet and sour flavors of the vinegar.
In a traditional acetaia in Reggio Emilia, at Castello di Vergnano.Elise Bauer
Taste it as you would a precious, fine wine.
What’s the “caramel” for?
There is plenty enough sugar in the grape must.
Bottles of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar from Modena and Reggio Emilia.Elise Bauer
Think of the caramel in the ingredient list as a natural coloring agent.
“Must” is basically grape juice.
It’s sweet in its unfermented, un-acidified state.
Ivo Piombini in his family’s attic-over-garage acetaia in Modena, Italy.
Wine vinegar is acidic.
If the reverse is true, it will taste more acidic.
There can be no other indication of age on the label.
Lighter, tart balsamics will be best for using in avinaigrettefor dressing salads.
They can be sweetened and boiled down to use as aglaze.
(Think Napa!)
Different colors and viscosity of cooked grape must and concentrated grape must.Elise Bauer
In my pantry I even have a balsamic-style vinegar made entirely from apples, which has a wonderful flavor.
The label alone will not tell you what the vinegar is like.
Here are a few things to look for:
What Is White Balsamic?
Large oak barrels aging balsamic at Acetum, one of the largest producers of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI.Elise Bauer
What Is Balsamic Glaze?
It’s meant to mimic traditional balsamic vinegar, but at fraction of the cost.
Use balsamic glaze for drizzling over foods as a finishing sauce.
Balsamic Risotto with Tomatoes and Basil.Elise Bauer
How to Store Balsamic Vinegar
Does balsamic vinegar go bad?
You’re in luck!
Unlike almost any other food item in your pantry, balsamic vinegar doesn’t go bad.
Stored properly, the vinegar will last for years.
