See the first post on the history of balsamic vinegar here As stated in our last post, a measure of the growth of the balsamic vinegar industry is that as late as 1987, only 3,000 bottles of balsamic vinegar were being produced per year. By 2002, that number had become 100,000 bottles. This represented an average annual growth rate of … Read More
A History of Balsamic Vinegar
Read the full book on the history of vinegar, Vinegar, The Eternal Condiment available on Amazon! Balsamic vinegar’s origins are obscure. Some assert they go back to the Roman Empire with fermentation of the grape must sapa. Others believe that, like butter, it may have existed but its true development came during the Middle Ages. The term ‘balsamic’ itself comes … Read More
Apple Cider Vinegar / Pineapple Vinegar from Cores & Rinds: Some Notes
Vinegar fermentation is becoming more of the rage everyday. Often overshadowed by other fermentations, vinegar is coming to its own as a new generation of homemakers and hobbyists eagerly make their own. This is great and I suggest everyone try it at least once. There are a couple of techniques that are common and popular I want to give … Read More
Malt Vinegar vs. Beer Vinegar: Understanding and Making Both
See more information on making malt vinegar here Also here are some detailed recipes for homemade malt vinegar Malt vinegar, condiment of the gods–at least with fish and chips. This revered condiment is enjoyed worldwide but primarily in the English speaking world: the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, etc.. Its dark color and characteristic aroma and taste make it … Read More
Making Vinegar at Home The Essential Guide Part II: Starting Your Fermentation
Also, see our Making Your Own Vinegar poster So you now have read Part I and both know what vinegar is made of as well as what it can be made from. “Doing is knowing” so the next step is to make vinegar on your own! In this part II, we will discuss the steps you will need to set … Read More
Ten Fascinating and Shocking Stories from the History of Vinegar
Vinegar is like the red-headed (or maybe sour tasting) stepchild compared to wine and beer, its more illustrious cousins. Vinegar, however, has its own interesting history with its share of fascinating anecdotes and stories. While many stories are descriptive touching on the history of science, business, and even alchemy, others are interesting in their own right and reveal some of … Read More
Does vinegar spoil and how?
In Google, type in “does vinegar spoil?” and a variety of results pop up. While responses vary in length and detail, the general consensus is “no”. This consensus is generally accurate, with a few caveats, that I will explain below. The source of most information about vinegar’s shelf-life comes from a statement on the website of the national association … Read More
The History of Vinegar: Vinegar making in Orléans, France
Vinaigrerie (vinegar factory) in 19th century Orléans Read the full book on the history of vinegar, Vinegar, The Eternal Condiment available on Amazon! For those familiar with vinegar making, the oldest standard method of making vinegar is called the Orléans method or “slow process”. This is the romantic vision of vinegar making where wine or cider is poured into wooden … Read More
Making Vinegar at Home: The Essential Guide Part I (The Basics)
So, you like vinegar. Not just the store white distilled brand but many types. Or maybe you just love apple cider vinegar and hate the bland tasting store brand. Home made vinegar is a lot like garden grown vegetables: yours always tastes better. There are many reasons that homemade vinegars can be great but a big one is you don’t … Read More