topic Re: Good balsamic vinegar in Kitchen

Good balsamic vinegar

Snicks1 — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 22:53:23 GMT

I hear Food Network cooks/chefs talk about using a "good" balsamic vinegar all the time, but what brands are considered "good"? What brand do you use and consider to be a good brand? TIA

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

4OU2 — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:12:42 GMT

Dean & Deluca.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

nomless — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:22:45 GMT

A real simple answer is good balsamic vinegar is expensive and is rarely found in grocery stores. Specialty stores carry it. Price can be $50 and up. It's very thick and rich. Typical groceries carry the inexpensive balsamic that's not really balsamic.

Check out this video that explains it.

Here's a link to an article with information about real balsamic vinegar

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

LexPex — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:27:14 GMT

I only use white balsamic vinegar for salads...it is delicious and a bit more pricey although I certainly can't afford $50 a bottle

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

sfnative — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:27:46 GMT

I was SO over balsamic vinegar, until I found a recipe for raw beet and carrot salad which required balsamic vinegar. After giving it some thought, I headed for Whole Foods and discovered a white balsamic vinegar that looked very much like a white wine. It was perfect for the salad and did not have the weighty flavor of the dark balsamic vinegar: "Napoleon White Balsamic, Light and Crisp." Product of Italy.16.9 fl. oz.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

Harpa — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:46:54 GMT

That "good" expression gets me! Ina always says "good vanilla," "good EVOO," etc. I always think, as opposed to what? Bad vanilla?! Bad Evoo?! Bad balsamic vinegar?!

And I bet my vanilla is better than hers!

I usually get Wegman's BV, and it is good....I mean, it isn't bad!

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

DiAnne — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:51:10 GMT

For everyday cooking and making salad dressing I use Kirkland brand (Costco) balsamic vinegar. For drizzling, etc. where you need really good balsamic plan to pay $25 to $50 for a small bottle.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

FastDogWalker2 — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:59:04 GMT

I always shop for this at Trader Joe's. It works for me!

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

Harpa — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 00:01:13 GMT

Yes, I do realize the differences, and cost of the product is a good barometer in this case. If I made my living as a Chef, and depending on where I was a Chef, I would choose balsamic vinegar with much more discrimination.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

pippa_1 — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 00:09:38 GMT

Good balsamic vinegar is made in Modena, Italy. Good vanilla is made from Madagascar. You can find good options for both items at whole foods, and good choices that aren't super expensive. Check their 365 store brand, prices are very and sometimes less than wegmans, etc.. And good quality.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

chickenbutt — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 00:12:31 GMT

Lately, I've just been using a moderately priced one - Colavita of Modena. I like it. I'm not a connoisseur of balsamic vinegar, however, so YMMV.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

gazelle77 — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 00:31:26 GMT

Costco sells a huge bottle for about &12.00.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

nomless — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 00:47:38 GMT

True balsamic vinegar is made from a particular type of grape and processed in a specific way to create a syrup. The syrup is then aged for at least 12 years, can be much longer. There are only two regions in Italy that produce legal, authentic balsamic, and bottles of thsi stuff are identified by ‘Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena or Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia. This product is thick with a mellow flavor. (The word traditional and the location Modena or Reggio Emilia are key to identifying authentic balsamic vinegar).

Grocery store balsamic is usually made from wine or white vinegar with coloring, thickeners, and sugar added to make an imitation balsamic that bears little resemblance to the real thing. I'm not saying that's bad. The two products are just different.

To answer OP's question, when FN chefs and cooks recommend that use the "good stuff", they're referring to the authentic, tradional type, not the grocery store type. OP, I think I saw what you saw recently...in a recent episode of In the Kitchen, they recommended the "good stuff".

I can't find real balsamic vinegar in my town, so I can't recommend any brands ... I haven't tried any! But OP, if you look online, say at Amazon, you'll be able to find good brands.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

Snicks1 — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 01:05:14 GMT

Thanks ladies, I had some that tasted so bad that I tossed it out, don't even remember what brand it was, this was a couple months ago, but have been wondering what kind to buy that would be good. I will look for some of these, but doubt I will find them in my local stores.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

chickenbutt — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 01:15:38 GMT

Snickster - if you are interested, the ColaVita brand should be in your local stores. It's a good brand for olive oil, too.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

Snicks1 — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 15:30:11 GMT

Thanks, I will look, particularly for the ColaVita brand. Appreciate the help.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

Harpa — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:02:23 GMT

I just looked at my Wegman's label, and it read, "balsamic vinegar of Modena."

Soooo....!

Modena! Good place for balsamic vinegar and cars! When my DH and I went to a costume party, we went as the Duke & Duchess of Modena.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

JustJules — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 17:49:25 GMT

On 1/27/2014 chickenbutt said:
Snickster - if you are interested, the ColaVita brand should be in your local stores. It's a good brand for olive oil, too.

Hi chickenbutt, that is what I use as well. ColaVita is a very good quality affordable brand. Made in Italy. Balsamic Vinegar doesn't have to be super expensive unless you are a total food snob or professional chef. For the typical home cook, a mid-range brand is fine, just don't purchase the $2 cheap stuff or you get what you pay for. I love using Balsamic in savory dishes, but it's wonderful in some desserts too. If you want to kick up your strawberries, add a splash of balsamic to them when they are chopped, it brings out a great flavor and is wonderful over ice cream or angel food cake.

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

Sooner — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 18:03:19 GMT

I think I could just drink the one Williams-Sonoma sells! It is the 25 year old barrel aged one I think--I'll check the label. If it is every on sale, I STOCK UP! I have every day stuff I cook with but this is wonderful when I need wonderful!

Re: Good balsamic vinegar

Reepicheepers — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 06:04:49 GMT

On 1/28/2014 Sooner said:
I think I could just drink the one Williams-Sonoma sells! It is the 25 year old barrel aged one I think--I'll check the label. If it is every on sale, I STOCK UP! I have every day stuff I cook with but this is wonderful when I need wonderful!

I second this! It's Olivier 25-year Barrel-Aged Balsamic Vinegar from Williams-Sonoma. Yum!