Balsamic Vinegar?

[flyinion]

I thought I'd read somewhere that apple cider was the only actual raw vinegar but I've seen a few post here where people made balsamic dressings. Is raw balsamic available? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I actually know very little about vinegar except which flavors I've liked in the past. I've got a pretty good bottle of balsamic still sitting up the pantry that I'd love to use for salad dressings.

[RawTruth]

Flyinion, I don't use balsamic myself -- I gave away all my non-raw stuff when Alissa said to do it in her book -- my friend got my balsamic and olive oils and tons of stuff!; I only use apple cider vinegar. However, some people here are high raw rather than 100%, so occasionally some condiments mentioned aren't always raw. Or ... at least, that's what I've picked up. Maybe they'll respond and inform us both.

[rawpriestess]

Hi,

Balsamic is not raw.

And the only vinegar that the raw foodists say it's okay to use, is Raw apple cider vinegar.

But, some raw foodists use honey, which isn't vegan, maple syrup which isn't raw, and I know many who drink hot tea, and coffee.

So, I think it is best for you to do whatever works for you.

Personally, I use lemon juice instead of vinegar in my salad dressings.

[vegangelist]

i second the apple cider vinegar is the best vinegar story. however, i too almost always (unless a recipe calls for vinegar) use lemon, lime or orange juice for salad dressings. orange juice plus olive oil and herbes de provence is wonderful (with a splash of nama shoyu) on spinach leaves for example.

kristi

[inahd]

if you read the ingredients on your balsamic vinegar bottle, it should clear up your questions... what!? my vinegar has ingredients...

*wine vinegar
*concentrated grape must
carmelized sugar from organic agriculture
contains sulphites from grapes 6% acididty

*=organic

[flyinion]

The bottle I have of balsamic is some imported Italian one that I bought somewhere like a Safeway. The ingredients simply say "balsamic vinegar, contains sulfites"

[Punky]

I use both Bariani Olive Oil and Bariani Balsamic Vinegar
which I get from www.eatraw.com
I know that the olive oil is raw for sure (interesting article link).
I think their balsamic vinegar is but not totally sure....
I will try to verify from company when I get a chance and report back.
I assumed it was when purchasing it from eatraw.com
and the raw food chef in town recommended it to me.
I think just like olive oil the manufactering process can differ greatly
so not all balsamic vinegers will be the same quality or go thru the same process. I think "traditionally" balsamic is aged like a fine wine.
As for sulfites, like red wine I am sure most will have. Even organic
wine has sulfites naturally occuring; although I think some non organic
have additional sulphites added . My bottle from Bariani's does not say anything about sulphites; but it doesn't list ingrediants either :confused:

I too like freshly squeezed lemon or orange on my salads and use this often.
But I still really enjoy a good balsamic vinegarette so I still do this on occassion.
Eatraw.com is out of the balsamic currently. I just contacted them this
week about it and they are waiting for some from Bariani's to finish aging.
So it is currently not on their website. They did reply to my email promptly about it though.
HTH

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:2OlzX1TUZ_kJ:www.newsreview.com/issues/sacto/2002-12-05/news.asp+Bariani+Olive+Oil+and+Balsamic+Vinegar&hl=en