On the shelves of the supermarkets, today it is possible to find many different bottles and types of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. Many people do a hasty shopping, putting in the cart the products they are used it, the ones they already know and that satisfy their culinary needs. Some people though prefer to read carefully the labels and opt for organic products, since they are produced with a major respect towards nature. For these people, it is also highly important to know whether the products they purchase derive from organic agricultures or not. Here is a brief guide on how to recognize an organic Balsamic Vinegar and what guarantees these products provide to the customer.
Is Balsamic Vinegar Always Organic?
For those wondering if the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is all organic, the short and concise answer is NO. Although this may seem a point against such a loved and appreciated product of the Italian culinary tradition, it is good to go into detail and understand specifically how an Organic Balsamic Vinegar is produced and why there are non-organic ones.
The denomination “Organic Balsamic Vinegar” is applied to a product obtained by the transformation of the raw materials, deriving from organic farming. The production method itself does not change, compared to that of a “non-organic” Balsamic Vinegar. Neither change the organoleptic characteristics of the final product.
The only difference is the origin of the ingredients, which in the case of organic products follow different dynamics. In fact, organic production involves the cultivation methods that include natural fertilizers, treatments with natural agents completely free of chemical o synthetic substances, etc. Therefore, the grapes used fro the production of organic Balsamic Vinegar are free of chemical residues.
Why Choose an Organic Balsamic Vinegar?
There are two main elemetns that normally make a consumer choose an organic Balsamic Vinegar:
- From the ethic point of view, the ingredients used for the production of the Organic Balsamic Vinegar are obtained in full respect of the nature, soil and groundwater. The result is greater protection of the environment and the planet for the benefit of our and future generations.
- Necessity of the transparency on the origin of the raw materials. One particular aspect that characterizes the labeling of organic products is the obligation to indicate the agriculture of origin. The ingredients can come from a specific country, from EU countries and non-EU countries. Right below the green leaf (the symbol that certifies organic products to protect the consumer), it is possible to find a textual content that evidences the agriculture of origin, with the following words: “agriculture of Italy”, “European agriculture”, “non-European agriculture”.
How Much Organic Raw Material is Present in Organic Balsamic Vinegar?
Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI can be produced not only with Italian grapes, but also with the grapes from all over the world. In order to be certified as Organic, the minimum guaranteed quantity of organic grapes must be of 95% of the total.
Due to the particularly long aging periods of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, it is almost impossible to find it with an organic label. In fact, the barrels for the production of an organic vinegar must be destined exclusively to this particular purpose, thus, it would be impossible to reuse the barrels that have been previously used for the aging of a non-organic vinegar. That means that, in order to become organic, a PDO production must start at least 12 years before marketing with organic raw materials, adequate for to requirements of the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO regulation.
In conclusion, Is Organic Balsamic Vinegar Worth Buying?
We believe that it is highly important to preserve the nature and our planet. For that reason, we always opt for Organic Balsamic Vinegar in our everyday life. Choosing an Organic Balsamico means to have a guaranty of a product that undergoes double quality control. That is why we prefer it to the non-organic one. Furthermore, as producer we know the history and the processing of the Black Gold that fulfills our bottles. If you have not done it yet, check out organic product in our shop online.
