Balsalmic Vinagrete - Is it RAW?

[burlyvegan]

I am new to this raw thing ( day 2 of the 30 day challenge). Is Balsalmic Vinagrete raw? If not, does anyone know of a good raw substitute?

[sweetgoddess]

No it is not raw. It is made with cooked grapes.
The only raw vinegar that I am personally aware of is raw apple cider vinegar ( it has to say raw on it).

[DotfromOz]

From www.whatscookingamerica.com/balsamic:

"Balsamic vinegar is an aged reduction of white sweet grapes (Trebbiano for red and Spergola for white sauvignon) that are boiled to a syrup. The grapes are cooked very slowly in copper cauldrons over an open flame until the water content is reduced by over 50%." [emphasis added]

I don't worry about using small amounts of such things. All I'd use of balsamic vinegar would be about a half teaspoonful on a salad as it's very strongly flavored, I think.

Others prefer to avoid such things entirely since they aren't raw.

[ella]

bv, i told you this! you never ever listen to me. :p

[THX-1138]

I'm sure that there are raw balsamic vinegars since most raw restaurants serve it.

[DotfromOz]

I'm sure that there are raw balsamic vinegars since most raw restaurants serve it.

::::::goes PERK!:::::::

Does anyone know of a source?

[rawpriestess]

I personally, find that I eat raw, and although there may be a few things out there like spices and vinegars that arent' raw, I use them anyway.

The whole point of eating raw is to eat foods with their enzymes in tact, so that they can digest themselves.

I personally figure if you are eating a huge green salad and put 1/2 tsp of vinegar on it, how little that is. If it keeps you eating greens then I am all for it.

On the other hand, I heard someone say once, "I eat 100% raw, except for I have two pieces of toast each morning with butter."

Now, I couldn't do that, I would want toast all day, and tortillas, and rolls, and grilled chesse sandwiches, because If I could eat bread with butter, what is the difference with bread, and butter and cheese, which is just dairy like butter, so I would be eating grilled cheese sandwiches, that would lead to pizza, and macaroni and cheese, and you can see where I am going here.

So, I couldn't do that, but if it works for you, and allows you to eat raw the rest of the day, or meal, or life, then, I say, "SO WHAT?" Do it.

Sometimes, I have used the restaurant's salad dressings, and I loved it, but then other times I just use lemon juice, or bring my own. Sometimes I have tried regular mustard, and other times, I make my own with mustard seed and vinegar.

Personally, I do think that there is 100% raw, and then there is the person who eats living food, that isn't raw, but is fermented, and is living, so which is better.

Every one will tell you something different. Try it, if it keeps you raw, then keep using it, if it makes you want cooked food, toss it.

Hope this helps.

Rawpriestess

[Punky]

I had gotten some balsamic vinegar from eatraw.com a couple of years ago under the assumption it was raw. The raw chef in my town
recommended it to me. It is made by Bariani's
(the same people that make the raw olive oil sold on eatraw. com
and on rawfoods.com). Eatraw told me they are out of the balsamic
right now (Bariani's is aging it currently in barrels). So it
is not currently on their website but they did return my
email promptly & will let me know when it comes in.
I will try to contact Bariani's to inquire if it is truely raw in
the meantime.
If it's not raw I plan to keep on using it anyways. I use very little and
enjoy it a lot. I agree with RawPriestess and DotfromOz on the matter.

[PixieGreen]

I wrote to Eden Foods and asked them if any of their vinegars were raw. Following is my email and they're response:
-------

Me:
I was wondering if some or all of your vinegars are raw, meaning that they have not been heated above 110 degrees in producton or when bottled. Thank you for taking the time to respond!


Them:
Dear Christa, thank you for contacting Eden Foods and your interest in Eden products.

Eden® Apple Cider & Red Wine Vinegars are unpasteurized. It is only mildly acidic at about 5%. Our fermentation process produces “mother,” a living mixture of bacteria and enzymes, which may appear as a slight cloudiness in the bottom of the bottle. “Mother” will continue to develop in the bottle with each additional exposure to air when the cap is removed. The presence of “mother” is an assurance of beneficial enzymes in the vinegar. Eden Vinegars carry an indefinite shelf life.

If you should have any further questions, please contact Customer Service.

Customer Service
Eden Foods
www.edenfoods.com
800.248.0320
--------

According to the "living food" principle their vinegars qualify. Were any of the ingredients ever heated above 110 degrees? I don't know, they didn't answer that question. But my primary concern is whether digestive enzymes are present. Since they are, I'm comfortable using it.

Christa

[rawpriestess]

Hi,

You will notice that they did NOT answer your questions, Braggs won't either.

The "mother" they talk of is added bacteria and enzymes. This makes it a "living" food, but not a "raw" one.

I say, if you like it, and it keeps you otherwise raw, go for it.

If it sets you off your raw path, then it may not be your best choice.

I can eat spices and miso and vinegar and braggs,(all non-raw) and I am okay

I don't know about anything else yet.