Imagine cleaning your floors with one of the most expensive bottles of balsamic vinegar that generally retails at $412 (via CNBC). If we received a bottle of balsamic vinegar 1,000 years ago, this idea might not seem too outlandish. According to Gourmet Blends, the first written account of balsamic vinegar dates back to 1046, when Emperor Enrico III of Franconia received a bottle as a gift. At the time, the liquid had a reputation as a disinfectant, as well as a cure-all for a variety of illnesses. This type of vinegar, which has to get produced in Modena and Reggio Italy to receive the official designation of balsamic, has wowed food connoisseurs since it entered our meal rotation and with any luck, will stick around for generations to come.
If you love bringing out the maximum amount of flavor in your food, you can’t go wrong by adding in a touch of vinegar. This ancient ingredient has stuck around for thousands of years thanks to its medicinal qualities and its ability to elevate any meal. Next time you reach for a bottle of white vinegar at the store, don’t forget this ingredient’s storied past.
