Some 6 years ago now I was lucky enough to have been taken on a tour of Modena including a visit to a balsamic vinegar producer. How I wished I had bought two bottles of the precious liquid as we came to the end of the first. And though I have since returned to Bologna (where a pale substitute can be obtained at the premier delicatessen Tamburini) I have not yet been to Modena to get the real McCoy. You’ve reminded me I need to make it a priority next time I go.
Fake Italian olive oil plus fake balsamic vinegar on GMO vegetables. Are we doomed? Thanks for the informative essay. You always surprise with your way of weaving so many levels of information together that is a joy to read. So if you’re not revealing your vacation site are you willing to share what brand “balsamic” you use?
We don't have to be doomed. We're consumers with a choice and a voice. If we stop buying the stuff that's unhealthy or a rip off or at least demand better labelling information about what Big Food Biz wants us to buy and we then stop doing so, maybe in order to keep making profits off us, they'll have to adopt policies that respect us more and take better care of us. I've only ever had one tiny bottle of genuine Balsamico that a generous friend gave me. Generally I buy a regular wine or cider vinegar.
I do so agree. Unfortunately the US is doing a rapid 180 from any regulations on anything. I don’t buy GMO food but how long that information is on labels is iffy! Long ago when I read of the olive oil import mess I started using California olive oil. With climate change affects who knows how long that will be an option. I’m grateful for your passionate voice about the food industry. It’s an important topic.
Interesting as always! I was once acquainted with one of the Estes, but never knew about the connection with balsamic vinegar! Modena has been on my bucket list for years - James II's second wife came from there, an act of political carelessness that led to revolution and two Jacobite Risings. And I do so agree with you about not sharing favoured holiday locations too publicly - it's amazing, how quickly a place can change out of all semblance to its former self with an influx of tourists!
What interesting friends to have! I didn't know that about James II and his marriages. A story I will enjoy looking into. Do go to Modena - it has an extraordinary and unusual cathedral in an almost pedestrian centre. On its own, it's a rewarding 2 nights trip.
I've been very fortunate in my life in meeting, and often becoming friends with, a large number of quite extraordinary people. James II's first wife was the daughter of the Puritan General Monck, one of Cromwell's officers, so acceptable to the Protestants and Parliament; their children, Mary and Anne, were also Protestant. However, the widowed James then married Mary of Modena, a Catholic, embraced Catholicism and then had their son (later better known as the Old Pretender) baptised a Catholic, which went against the terms of the Act of Succession. I shall definitely be making an effort to go to Modena!
I find history infinitely fascinating! James II was one of the more useless Stuart monarchs that afflicted Scotland - and, of course, by his time, England as well. Have fun reading about it!
Thank you for another wonderfully informative food history! I recalled attending a balsamic tasting at a food cooperative in Minneapolis where I first encountered true balsamic as the final tasting and it was indeed served as drops on strawberries. A delicious revelation!
I do have a tiny bottle of the real stuff from a visit to the delightful Modena which I am using so sparingly but it is delicious and I love it's history - thanks for sharing the story of balsamic vinegar
Isn't Modena a treat? Much like its vinegar. I spent too much money in restaurants and on Negroni Sbagliatos (invented there) which left me nothing for Balsamico.
vinegar on ice cream?? absurd... but I'm honestly intrigued
Think a zesty and complex maple syrup…
The taste difference is so amazing between the real thing and supermarket versions.I feel a trip coming on!
I’m full of envy! Buon viaggio!
A mere 20 easy minutes by train! And balsamic vinegar shops on every street.
Some 6 years ago now I was lucky enough to have been taken on a tour of Modena including a visit to a balsamic vinegar producer. How I wished I had bought two bottles of the precious liquid as we came to the end of the first. And though I have since returned to Bologna (where a pale substitute can be obtained at the premier delicatessen Tamburini) I have not yet been to Modena to get the real McCoy. You’ve reminded me I need to make it a priority next time I go.
It's a place I'd happily move to. (Though there are others...)
There are so many other lovely places too, like Parma, Ferrara and even Faenza though. So hard to choose just one.
Sounds like you may have a multi destination trip on the cards.
Fake Italian olive oil plus fake balsamic vinegar on GMO vegetables. Are we doomed? Thanks for the informative essay. You always surprise with your way of weaving so many levels of information together that is a joy to read. So if you’re not revealing your vacation site are you willing to share what brand “balsamic” you use?
We don't have to be doomed. We're consumers with a choice and a voice. If we stop buying the stuff that's unhealthy or a rip off or at least demand better labelling information about what Big Food Biz wants us to buy and we then stop doing so, maybe in order to keep making profits off us, they'll have to adopt policies that respect us more and take better care of us. I've only ever had one tiny bottle of genuine Balsamico that a generous friend gave me. Generally I buy a regular wine or cider vinegar.
I do so agree. Unfortunately the US is doing a rapid 180 from any regulations on anything. I don’t buy GMO food but how long that information is on labels is iffy! Long ago when I read of the olive oil import mess I started using California olive oil. With climate change affects who knows how long that will be an option. I’m grateful for your passionate voice about the food industry. It’s an important topic.
Wonderfully informative! Fascinating to learn about the different types of wooden barrels and their effect on the flavor of the vinegar.
I'm pleased you found it interesting! It's extraordinary the lengths artisans go to to produce something to give others pleasure.
Interesting as always! I was once acquainted with one of the Estes, but never knew about the connection with balsamic vinegar! Modena has been on my bucket list for years - James II's second wife came from there, an act of political carelessness that led to revolution and two Jacobite Risings. And I do so agree with you about not sharing favoured holiday locations too publicly - it's amazing, how quickly a place can change out of all semblance to its former self with an influx of tourists!
What interesting friends to have! I didn't know that about James II and his marriages. A story I will enjoy looking into. Do go to Modena - it has an extraordinary and unusual cathedral in an almost pedestrian centre. On its own, it's a rewarding 2 nights trip.
I've been very fortunate in my life in meeting, and often becoming friends with, a large number of quite extraordinary people. James II's first wife was the daughter of the Puritan General Monck, one of Cromwell's officers, so acceptable to the Protestants and Parliament; their children, Mary and Anne, were also Protestant. However, the widowed James then married Mary of Modena, a Catholic, embraced Catholicism and then had their son (later better known as the Old Pretender) baptised a Catholic, which went against the terms of the Act of Succession. I shall definitely be making an effort to go to Modena!
You've made the James II family even more essential to read about! What an influential one and with such a fascinating and complicated history.
I find history infinitely fascinating! James II was one of the more useless Stuart monarchs that afflicted Scotland - and, of course, by his time, England as well. Have fun reading about it!
Thank you for another wonderfully informative food history! I recalled attending a balsamic tasting at a food cooperative in Minneapolis where I first encountered true balsamic as the final tasting and it was indeed served as drops on strawberries. A delicious revelation!
It's a whole different creature, isn't it. My grandfather always sprinkled regular wine vinegar on his strawberries. And black pepper!
I do have a tiny bottle of the real stuff from a visit to the delightful Modena which I am using so sparingly but it is delicious and I love it's history - thanks for sharing the story of balsamic vinegar
Isn't Modena a treat? Much like its vinegar. I spent too much money in restaurants and on Negroni Sbagliatos (invented there) which left me nothing for Balsamico.