Balsamic Vinegar, the real stuff

Don't forget people, those of you who are trying things like balsamic vinegar and strawberries or oranges or better tangerine, don't use the stuff you put in salad dressing. That balsamic vinegar isn't real. It is a combination of real balsamic vinegar, just a touch for taste, and plain ordinary table vinegar. Balsamic vinegar isn't vinegar at all but rather reduced wine or reduced grape pressings left to ferment. It's made the same way a fine sherry is made and costs just as much or more. If you are paying less than $25 for 4 ounces of 25 year old balsamic vinegar, it's fake. 100 year old costs about $150 for 4 oz. You need to use a good 25 year old balsamic vinegar. And just a little bit. Drops.

I make a confection with orange, cinnamon and 25 year old balsamic vinegar. Orange or better tangerine and balsamic vinegar is classic. Strawberries with balsamic vinegar, yum. Strawberries with salad dressing? Not as yum but it has potential in a salad but not in a dessert or a confection.

I make an orange cinnamon ice cream to which I add a touch of balsamic vinegar before plating.