Smart staples: Balsamic vinegar

An essential in any home cook’s pantry, balsamic vinegar is a deliciously versatile ingredient with a complex flavour and origin.

1. At just 12kJ per tablespoon, dark balsamic vinegar is one of the lightest salad dressings around!
2. Vinegar’s acidity helps slow digestion and lower the glycaemic index (GI) of your meal, helping you feel full for longer.
3. The best-tasting varieties age for at least 12 years and some spend more than 50 years in wooden barrels to develop their rich flavour.
4. Unlike most vinegars (which are made of wine), balsamic vinegar is an extract of unfermented aged grapes.
5. Real balsamic vinegar comes from only one of two Italian cities — Modena or Reggio Emilia.