Aged Balsamic Vinegar—Properties and Most Common Uses

Versatility is a highly valued quality in any product and service. Especially a versatile product that promotes creativity and ingenuity and inspires new ways of doing ordinary things. And this is precisely a characteristic of aged balsamic vinegar . Do you know why? This incredible product has so many properties that, over time, it has covered needs and incredibly expanded its use.

Balsamic vinegar is a product of Italian origin obtained from the most select grapes through fermentation and alcoholic oxidation that can last from 3 to 12 years of aging. It has a unique consistency, flavor, and color. Stick around to discover the evolution of balsamic vinegar, some fantastic and popular flavored balsamic vinegars, what its most common uses have been, and the best ways you can integrate it yourself into your cooking.

Balsamic vinegar for remedies

Did you know that balsamic vinegar was used mainly for remedies in ancient times? It is no secret that aged balsamic vinegar contains abundant properties such as potassium, magnesium, iron, and polyphenols, among others, in addition to having antioxidant and antibacterial capacities. For this reason, it was considered almost a miracle cure in many places.

And although its use currently predominates in gastronomy, you may be interested in learning about some of its ancestral and current benefits:

Among the most common ways of administering balsamic vinegar was as an ointment against rheumatic pain, sprains, strains, and other joint pain. Its thick consistency allowed it to be directly applied as if it were an ointment, thus providing relief to the affected surface.

Just as apple cider vinegar or EVOO (extra virgin olive oil ) are used on an empty stomach, many use one part of balsamic vinegar to ten parts of drinking water in the morning. Thus obtaining a satiating effect, that is, reducing appetite during the day and favoring better digestion of food.

In many cases, vinegar was also used for sore throats, headaches, and even labor pains. It was also used for wound healing. Since it has antibacterial and antiviral properties, it was a standarddisinfection method.

In 2015, a study published in the Journal of Diabetes Research conducted with people with type 2 diabetes reported that consuming about 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar before a meal lowered blood glucose, insulin, and triglyceride levels.

Uses of balsamic vinegar in your recipes

The evolution of gastronomy has made it possible to discover new ways of using ingredients. Thanks to this, balsamic vinegar is an excellent ally that has become part of the basics of many kitchens. Not only for its healing properties but for its flavor notes that make simple dishes extraordinary.

Here are 3 common ways you can use it:

Are you looking to give a different touch to your salads? One of the easiest ways to use balsamic vinegar is as a salad dressing, giving it extra flavor. You only need 3 essential ingredients: balsamic vinegar, the best olive oil, and salt. You can integrate the liquid ingredients and a touch of salt in equal parts. Or, if you prefer to make a dressing without mixing beforehand, we recommend you add the salt in parts, then the vinegar, and the oil at the end. This way, the flavors will integrate better.

Now, if you want to go a little further and give your vinaigrette a much more intense flavor, you can add equal parts Dijon mustard to your three basic ingredients, giving it a slightly bitter touch. Or on the contrary, if you are looking for sweet flavor notes, you can add honey instead of mustard. You will be surprised by the touch of flavor that a single ingredient can provide!

An aged balsamic vinegar is a very versatile ingredient, so it will not only come in handy in salads, but you can also use it for cuts of meat or steaks. For example, suppose you want to marinate red meat. In that case, you can use a combination of balsamic vinegar with onion, oil, aromatic spices, salt, and pepper in an airtight bag and let it stand for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

But if you are looking for the flavor of the balsamic vinegar that is much more present, many chefs and foodies recommend not overheating balsamic vinegar. How so? You can add it just before removing the food from the heat. In this way, you will better preserve its aroma or flavor. Also, you can make a reduction or sauce to bathe your favorite cut of meat or steak. In this matter, creativity and taste can lead you to discover new flavors that captivate your guests.

Balsamic vinegar in your dessert? Yes, it may sound crazy, but you will love it. To the surprise of many, it turns out that this precious ingredient goes well with ice cream, fruit tarts, and even cakes. So you will be turning something simple into an explosion of exotic and unique flavors. You can use it with red fruits such as figs, peaches, apples, and citrus fruits such as oranges. To make a delicious compote, add a tablespoon of vinegar for every 5 oz. of fruit. A favorite one for these kinds of recipes is We Olive fig balsamic vinegar .

You can also make a caramel with sugar, heavy cream, butter, salt, blackberry balsamic vinegar , or another unique selection. You will be surprised how easy and delicious it is! Of course, remember that the flavor of excellent balsamic vinegar is intense. So it is best to add little by little since if you add too much, you could ruin the dessert. Sometimes a few drops will be more than enough to enhance the flavors of your Italian dessert or ice cream.

Where can you find the best balsamic vinegar?

Learning to distinguish good balsamic vinegar from imitations or reduced versions is essential. A simple and easy way is through specialized stores like We Olive, where you will find the best selections, prices, and certified products. You can even opt for custom-labeled bottles either as a gift or for any special occasion.

Obtaining aged balsamic vinegar is easy. You can search for the nearest store or order your favorite products online to have them delivered directly to your home. If you have questions, contact us today at 805 238 2900 or email info@weolive.com, and we will be happy to answer your questions. Discover new ways to use balsamic vinegar!

Shop now for our extraordinary variety of the best balsamic vinegar, EVOO, and gourmet foods that will take to a memorable culinary experience, the #Oliveoilexperience