Use Balsamic Vinegar All you need to know about Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Glaze: what is it?
We often hear about Balsamic Vinegar glaze. What makes it be so different from Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena? What are the differences between the two products?
Balsamic Vinegar glaze is sold all over the world. You can use it to dress salads, pizza, side dishes and even desserts in many restaurants. It is a product easy to find and with prices that can be cheap.
The ingredients
The ingredients of the Balsamic glaze are concentrated cooked grape must, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI (wine vinegar, concentrated grape must, coloring, caramel E150d), concentrated grape juice and thickener (among these, the most used is corn starch). Balsamic glaze may also contain dyes.
It is a thick cream, with a sweet and sour flavour. The colour is dark brown, reminiscent of the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.
We can find the first difference between the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar PDO (LINK) and the Balsamic Glaze only by analyzing the ingredients. Traditional Balsamic does not contain thickeners and is composed only of cooked must (grapes). Traditional Balsamic PDO has higher acidity than the Balsamic Vinegar glaze. The last one is sweeter and less sour on the palate than the precious “Black Gold” of Modena.
The ageing
The second big and important difference between Balsamic Vinegar glaze and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena can be found in the ageing period.
Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO must be aged for at least 12 years according to the law (LINK).
For the Balsamic Vinegar glaze, there are no regulations.
This means that the two products are different in taste and sight.
The price
The last relevant difference between the two products is represented by the cost.
It is easy to find Traditional Balsamic Vinegar PDO that cost hundreds of euros on the market. These are products obtained with Traditional methods, which respect ageing times and strict production rules. The quality product is guaranteed and protected by the Consortium, which affixes the guarantee seal on each product that reflects what is regulated.
The case
Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO is always sold on its unique and identifying container: the exclusive 100 ml glass bottle designed by Giugiaro.
Balsamic Vinegar of Modena glaze, on the other side, is always sold in plastic containers, as it is often squeezed to extract the cream.
In regards to Balsamic glaze there are no certification bodies and the product can be bottled directly by the manufacturer. The production methods and permitted containers are not subject to any regulations, therefore the cost of Balsamic Vinegar glazes can be as low as a few cents.
We usually use Traditional Balsamic in Modena for sure!!
Although it is far from our habits, the Balsamic glaze represents a product known and appreciated all over the world.
Greetings from Modena.
