Balsamic vinegar is the most famous vinegar. Its properties and nutritional values ​​have been appreciated for centuries in Italy, where it comes from. A few drops are enough and even a simple dish will gain a refined taste. The most appreciated is the traditional, original balsamic vinegar - from Modena. What are the properties of balsamic vinegar? Where to buy it and what is its price? Which balsamic vinegar should you choose? Try out recipes with balsamic vinegar.

Balsamic vinegaris vinegar obtained from concentrated grape must that undergoes a long fermentation process in wooden barrels. The grape must is boiled until its volume is reduced by about 1/3, which increases the sugar concentration and causes browning of the product (as a result of the Maillard reaction). The concentrated must is fermented (carried out with a specific strain of fungiZygosaccharomycesand bacteriaGluconobacter ) and matured in oak, chestnut, cherry, mulberry barrels or juniper. Maturing, older batches of vinegar are supplemented with fresher ones and transferred to successive, smaller and smaller barrels. In the production of balsamic vinegar, the processes of alcoholic fermentation and acetic acid fermentation occur simultaneously and slowly throughout the maturation period. Traditional balsamic vinegar is a product that is at least twelve years old, although in some cases it can be aged for up to 25 years.

Traditional and original balsamic vinegar is produced according to guarded recipes using local Italian ingredients, and the fermentation process is carried out with the help of a specific strain of mushrooms.

The original, traditional balsamic vinegar is based on the must of white Trebbiano or red Lambrusco grapes, grown around Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy. The name "balsamic" is reserved for vinegar made only from these varieties. The label of this vinegar bears the words Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena. It is a proprietary name to which a small group of producers from the Modena and Reggio Emilia region are en titled, associated in a consortium that adheres to strict quality standards and cares about the uniqueness of the product. On the other hand, on a small traffic jam you can find the band of the Aceto Balsamico consortium.

Unfortunately on the market under the name of aceto balsamicoThere are products obtained in various countries - most often in Spain and Luxembourg - from other ingredients and with the use of other strains. The one produced in Asian countries has the least to do with real balsamic vinegar. In this part of the world, balsamic vinegar is made from either rice or diluted sake.

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Modena balsamic vinegar - nutritional value in 100 ml / tablespoon (15 ml)Energy value - 100/15 kcal Total protein - 0 g Fat - 0 g Carbohydrates - 20 / 3 g (including simple sugars 20/3 g)

Data Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference

Balsamic vinegar for better digestion

Formerly, balsamic vinegar was used as a remedy for stomach ailments and also as an antidote during the plague epidemic. Currently, balsamic vinegar is credited with dozens of he alth properties. Many of them have not yet found scientific confirmation. However, it is known for certain that the use of balsamic vinegar may be helpful in some respects.

Certainly, balsamic vinegar will aid digestion. In the vicinity of Modena, "balsamico" is drunk in small amounts before and after a meal to improve digestion. However, people with a sensitive stomach should only use vinegar in any form in minimal amounts.

Balsamic vinegar - antibacterial properties

The acetic acid contained in balsamic vinegar has proven antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Balsamic vinegar has traditionally been used to clean and sanitize surfaces, treating onychomycosis, lice, warts, and ear infections. Many of these uses have not been confirmed by scientific research.

Balsamic vinegar regulates cholesterol

Such conclusions were reached, among others, by Japanese scientists from the Tokyo Institute of Environmental Science for Human Life .¹ In the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, they argue that the polyphenols in balsamic vinegar lower cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition, they inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which reduces the risk of atherosclerosis.

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Balsamic vinegar - where to buy? What's the price?

Traditional balsamic vinegar of very good quality is sold only in small 100 ml bottles. The older it is, the more expensive it is. Depending on the age and origin, a liter of traditional balsamic vinegar can cost up to $ 4,000. There is a reason why balsamic vinegar is called "black gold" (oronero). This one, available in stores, in 200-250 ml packages for a reasonable price (not exceeding PLN 10) has little to do with real balsamic vinegar. Many manufacturers add caramel, antioxidants, preservatives or dyes to weak vinegar to enhance the color, taste and texture. The cheapest ones are a poor imitation of the mythical thick syrup with a dark brown color and a wonderfully balanced, sweet and sour taste. It is perfectly legal to write on their bottle that it is Modena balsamic vinegar. Remember, the label of real balsamic vinegar says "Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena." The prices of real balsamic vinegars start from PLN 100.

Balsamic vinegar lowers blood pressure

Researchers at Arizona State University in "Medscape General Medicine" ² argue that, since balsamic vinegar prevents atherosclerosis, it may also help to normalize blood pressure levels. Researchers explain that regular consumption of balsamic vinegar reduces systolic blood pressure By as much as 20 mmHg. However, it should be noted that the studies were conducted in rats. Balsamic vinegar may have a beneficial effect on blood pressure in humans, but more research is needed.

Balsamic vinegar regulates blood sugar levels

Balsamic vinegar reduces blood glucose levels and increases cell sensitivity to insulin .² It is recommended in the diet of people with pre-diabetes, diabetes, insulin resistance and any carbohydrate disorders. The hypoglycemic effect of vinegar is one of its best documented properties, and acetic acid is responsible for it. Therefore, not only balsamic vinegar, but all types of vinegar and foods preserved with it have a positive effect on the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, which has been confirmed in many studies.

Balsamic vinegar for weight loss

Balsamic vinegar increases the metabolic rate. It aids digestion, because thanks to it, more gastric juices are secreted and digestive enzymes are synthesized faster. If we add the properties of vinegar supporting the breakdown of fat and the action of pectins and phytochemicals that affect various processes in the body and detoxifying properties - we gain an improvement in metabolism. However, it should be noted that vinegar cannot be takenbalsamic without restrictions, because you can irritate the gastric mucosa and lead to the formation of ulcers.

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Sauce and balsamic syrup

In addition to traditional balsamic vinegar and its counterfeits, there are also syrups and sauces based on balsamic vinegar at low prices on the market, which can be used, for example, as a sauce for french fries, sauce for grilled meats, and also for sushi.

Balsamic vinegar - use in the kitchen

The original balsamic vinegar has a unique, dark brown color, sparkling with golden-red reflections, which is obtained as a result of aging in wooden barrels for many years. Due to aging, the vinegar also acquires a mild taste and aroma. The unique, strongly aromatic taste and aroma of balsamic vinegar are made up of products and semi-finished products of slow fermentation processes together with the products of the aforementioned Maillard reaction. The acidity of the balsamic vinegar is 6%.

Balsamic vinegar will perfectly enhance the taste of salads, poultry dishes and red meat. It goes well with fish, vegetables and even ice cream. Native Italians like to pour it over strawberries or forest fruits. Balsamic vinegar is also an indispensable addition to cheeses, both fresh, such as mozzarella, and those with stronger flavors, such as parmesan (grana padano).

Balsamic vinegar is the perfect addition to fresh fruit such as strawberries, melon, pineapple and pear.

Pieces of Parmesan cheese coated with balsamic vinegar to the accompaniment of ripe, fresh, sweet and juicy pears is a real symphony of taste for many palates. There is one condition - it must be added in moderation, so that it does not dominate the dish with its sweet and sour taste.

How do I choose a good balsamic vinegar?First of all, pay attention to its composition. It is important that it is not colored with caramel, artificially sweetened, e.g. with sugar or apple juice, and that it is free of preservatives. It is best to choose ecological and natural vinegars, only from good, proven stores. The ones that you can get in supermarkets are usually mass production, in which vinegars are made from thickened ingredients. If we can afford it, choose the one with the DOP certificate logo - it is an abbreviation of Denominazione di Origine Protetta, i.e. Protected Designation of Origin. It is a category of products manufactured in a specific region, place or (exceptionally) in a country. The name of this place or region is reserved for a specific protected product and may not be used as the name of products manufactured elsewhere or according to other recipes. It is a strict product identification system.

Recipe forlamb chops with balsamic vinegar

Source: x-news.pl/TVN Style

Balsamic vinegar - use in cosmetics

Balsamic vinegar in combination with olive oil can be used as a mask with a cleansing and lubricating effect. When applied to the face, it will cleanse the pores of bacteria and impurities, leaving the skin smooth and with a reduced tendency to blackheads and unsightly pimples. The addition of oil will provide gentle lubrication of the skin and prevent it from drying out. Vinegar also improves the condition of the hair, reducing hair loss.

Source:

1. Inhibitory Effects of Balsamic Vinegar on LDL Oxidation and Lipid Accumulation in THP-1 Macrophages, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jnsv/56/6/56_6_421/_article/-char/ja/

2. Vinegar: Medicinal Uses and Antiglycemic Effect, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1785201/

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