Balsamic vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is a type of vinegar that is made by cooking fresh grape juice that contains the seeds and peels of grape fruits. The process of preparing traditional balsamic vinegar includes three steps, and the first step is to convert the sugar in the grapes into ethanol. ) by using yeast, and in the second step, the oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid occurs through acetic acid bacteria, and the last step includes aging for a period of no less than 12 years, and the final product after this period is a high-density aged vinegar that has Dark brown colour.
There are three different types of balsamic vinegar, which are the traditional, commercial, and sauce types. The traditional type is aged for at least 12 years, and it can be obtained from two regions in Italy, namely: the city of Modena and the city of Emilia, and it is a high-priced product, while the commercial type is from Balsamic vinegar and sauce, as they are not considered high-quality products like the traditional type, but their material cost is reasonable and suitable for the general use of balsamic vinegar as a food ingredient.
Benefits of balsamic vinegar
Balsamic vinegar has many benefits. It contains acetic acid as an active ingredient, and this acid contains strains of probiotics that aid digestion, Balsamic vinegar is distinguished by its high content of some minerals. Such as potassium, which is important for all cells of the body, and also provides other elements such as calcium and sodium, which are responsible for blood clotting, regulating heart functions, and controlling blood volume in the body, in addition to phosphorus, which is one of the free ions present in the body and is important for building bones and teeth in the body.
For more information about the benefits of balsamic vinegar, you can read the article Benefits of Balsamic Vinegar.
Damages of balsamic vinegar
The degree of safety of balsamic vinegar
There are few possible risks of using balsamic vinegar, but it is generally safe to use unless a person is allergic to it.
Cautions for using balsamic vinegar
There are some precautions that should be taken into account when consuming balsamic vinegar, including the following:
- Drinking raw balsamic vinegar may cause sore throat, and the esophagus can also be damaged by it, and there are cases in which drinking balsamic vinegar causes stomach pain or damage to the inner lining of the stomach. The person felt that it was associated with heartburn or stomach problems.
- Some types of commercial balsamic vinegar may contain added sugars to enhance its flavor and make it similar to traditional balsamic vinegar. Therefore, it is advised to pay attention to the content label on the balsamic vinegar box. As mentioned previously, the traditional type may be expensive, but it does not contain added sugar.
The difference between balsamic vinegar and other types of vinegar
As mentioned previously, balsamic vinegar is made from concentrated grape juice or fresh grape juice that contains the seeds and peels of white grape fruits. It also has a dark color, rich flavor, and is sweet in taste. Also, as previously mentioned; the process of aging it takes a long time; Where it is placed in barrels made of different types of wood, while the commercial type of balsamic vinegar is made from concentrated grape juice, and then mixed with a strong type of vinegar, and here the difference from the traditional type is the lack of sugar and caramel taste in it, but the most important point is that balsamic vinegar It is made from grape products in particular, without mentioning the different manufacturing methods, and it also has high levels of acidity, but the pungent flavor usually disappears due to the presence of sweet-tasting ingredients in it as well, which makes its taste light.
On the other hand, other types of fruit vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, black currant, blackberry, and quinoa, have the flavor of the fruit used to produce vinegar in the final product of each type. For example, apple cider vinegar is produced in particular from fermented apple juice; Where the sugar in apple juice is broken down by bacteria and yeast, which produces alcohol, which in turn is broken down and produces vinegar. On the other hand, the flavor of vinegar that is not made from fruit may differ, but fruit syrup or its flavor is added to it.
Balsamic vinegar uses
Balsamic vinegar can be added to many foods, for example; If you want to add a larger amount of healthy vegetables and fruits to the diet, you can add a few drops of balsamic vinegar to it. Which gives it a sour and acidic flavor, and in general balsamic vinegar can be used as a substitute for other types of regular vinegar or even as a substitute for lemon juice to make sauce for different dishes such as green salads, Balsamic vinegar can also be used to make a savory dressing for various dishes, or it can be simmered to create a thick sauce that can be added to fruit or ice cream.
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