Apr
Whether you are looking for balsamic vinegar to dress a salad, give zest to a roasted prime rib or just top a strawberry flavored ice cream, you will have plenty of choices of different balsamic vinegars.
Countless bottles of different shapes and sizes may be found in stores or online.
But how to find, choose and buy the one that is the perfect match for your favorite recipe?
Here are some considerations:
- Balsamic vinegar is a natural product that retains a distinctive individual flavor profile
- Different scents, tastes and flavors distinguish each and every product
- The unique individuality is based on the grapes used for the initial must and the wood used to make the barrels in which it is left to age
- Texture and aroma change with the length of aging period and external climate conditions
Before you use any balsamic vinegar I suggest you to taste, assess and taste it again with other ingredients which are going to be used in preparing your favorite recipe.
Balsamic vinegar may be:
- Tarter or mellower
- More or less aromatic
- Denser or more liquid
- Tastier or more delicate
- Fruiter or more pungent.
Also, keep in mind that there are no fixed rules for how to use vinegars in cooking, merely suggestions and always according to personal taste.
Producers have adopted a “rating system” to guide you while shopping for balsamic vinegars.
Some producers adopt a star system, others numerical symbols. The ones that comply with the rules set by the “consortium of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena” use leaves shaped like little hats.
As the number of stars, numerical symbols and leaves increase, you will notice that the price will go higher as well.
So, how to choose the right balsamic vinegar bottle for your perfect recipe?
Here are my suggestions.
- Look at the bottle and identify the numbers of stars, leaves, numerical symbols
- Balsamic vinegars showing 1 star, 1 leaf or symbol 1, is to be used to dress salads; you will enjoy the acidity taste that compliments your greens
- Bottles showing 2 stars, 2 leaves or symbol 2, is to be used to dress grilled vegetables. The vinegar has enough acidity taste needed to balance the oil used to brush the vegetables before grilling or broiling them
- Bottles showing 3 stars, 3 leaves or symbol 3, is to be used to add a zest to fish or meat. The acidity taste is less pungent and the fruity musty after taste will add a punch to your protein.
- Bottles showing 4 stars, 4 leaves or symbol 4, is to be used as a perfect addition for ice cream, yogurt and desserts.
You will taste almost no acidity, while the strong fruitiness flavor of the reduced grapes will add to your sweets.
As a foodie myself, I like to keep all different variety of vinegars in my pantry. There are many balsamic vinegar recipes available and I want to be ready to cook them.
| Food Entrepreneur Salvatore Cesareo started his professional career as a restaurateur and after opening a cheese manufacturing cheese plant in Pasadena, California, decided to import and distribute fine foods from all over the world. This comprehensive approach to the hospitality industry helped him recognize that many food topics have until now been sorely neglected on the Internet. http://FoodEnquirer.com was designed to offer a revolutionary and refreshing change with tens of thousands of mouthwatering new recipes, interviews and advice from real experts and provides incredible cost effective marketing channels for companies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S._Cesareo |
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