Find out how to taste Balsamic Vinegar, techniques, tips and traditions to make the tasting experience unique and teach you to recognize vinegars and their individual peculiarities.
Our Mastro Acetiere Stefano attended a course a few days ago to refine his tasting techniques, organized by the Association of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena D.O.P. Expert Tasters.
An educational experience as well as comparison and growth. But let’s get to us… how to taste Balsamic Vinegar?
First of all, you need some easily available tools that will help you taste:
- White porcelain spoon
- Glass chalice
- A candle or a flashlight because you will need a direct light source
Now that you have everything you need, let’s get hands-on. There are 3 fundamental steps to follow, the practice of tasting Balsamic Vinegar requires 3 of our 5 senses: visual, olfactory, gustatory.
- Visual analysis: first, put your Balsamic Vinegar into the glass, this will allow you to see its color and consistency well. Then swirl the glass to make the vinegar adhere to the walls (as you do when you are about to taste a good wine). What you will notice from this operation is its density. The thicker and more persistent the film that settles on the walls of the glass, the denser the Balsamic Vinegar will be. Here the candle or torch comes into play, bringing the glass close to the light source, against the light you will be able to grasp its clarity. The specification states that the only color allowed is dark brown.
- Olfactory analysis: cover the mouth of the glass with your hand for at least 1 minute and heat the ampoule with the heat of the other hand. With this operation the vinegar will release its aromas which will remain inside the glass until, after at least 1 minute, you inhale the aromas 2/3 times. The smell of Balsamic Vinegar must be persistent and strong, with the release of a sour note at the end. Pay close attention, with this practice, you can already identify any unpleasant odors, signs of an altered product, such as mold or rancid.
- Taste analysis: last, but not least, tasting. Pour a few drops of Balsamic Vinegar onto the porcelain teaspoon (preferable as a material to metal because ceramic does not alter the flavours). Taste by distributing the product throughout your mouth in order to grasp all the nuances of flavours: acidity, tannic flavors and creaminess.
Now that you know the 3 steps for tasting and enjoying Balsamic Vinegar, a product with such particular flavors, you just have to try!
Let us know what flavors you will find there, every palate is different!
Happy tasting!
