Balsamic Vinegar

Vinegar

Vinegar is a sour liquid made by fermenting and diluting alcohol products which contain acetic acid as the main ingredient. Vinegar is always made from a sugar-containing source. The process of creating vinegar is done in two steps the first is to break down and ferment the sugar with yeast to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide. The second step is to add oxygen to the mix which allows for bacteria to produce the amino acid, water and other compounds.

Vitis vinifera subsp. Vinifera

The grape variety typically used in vinegar comes from the Vitis vinifera subsp. Vinifera species.

The grape is grown on a vine.

It has been cultivated across Eurasia for thousands of years and is popularly used in winemaking processes.

Main Types of Vinegar

Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic Vinegar specifically is made from the must of white grapes typically Trebbiano grapes. Balsamic vinegar is fermented using a slow ageing process in a wooden cask. Over a significant amount of time, the fermenting process becomes highly concentrated. Balsamic vinegar is very acidic because of this process but this flavour palate is balanced by the concentration of the sweetness of the grapes.

Apple cider Vinegar

Is commonly made from apple must and is unfiltered. This vinegar is often used in folk remedies.

Malt Vinegar

Is made from malting barley causing it to starch and turn into maltose. The maltose is then turned into an ale which is subsequently aged and turned into vinegar. Malt vinegar is very popular in England

White Vinegar

Is a distilled Vinegar which is turned into steam then cooled and allowed to turn back into a liquid, White vinegar is made from grain or maize and water. White vinegar is almost pure acetic acid.

Wine Vinegar

Is made from red or white wine, typically used in Mediterranean countries. It is often matured for several years and tends to be less acidic and can be made from a variety of wine.

Significance

Vinegar is often prescribed as a healing agent for the treatment of various illnesses. It is popular as a medicine for the ancient Greeks

It has also been used as a beauty aid to keep the skin complexion pale and soft.

Mansfeld’s World Database of Agriculture and Horticultural Crops; http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/apex/f?p=185:46:15187100733891::NO::module,mf_use,source,taxid,akzname:mf,,volksnam,3190,Vitisviniferasubsp.vinifera (accessed 24. 02. 2020). Vinegar, New World Encyclopedia; https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Vinegar (accessed 24. 02. 2020).