Hand–crafted Balsamic Vinegar
Natural Product Award Winners 2006 & 2007
Protea Hill Farm produces a wide range of natural and healthy Balsamic Vinegars (see Product Range below), some of which are not produced anywhere else in the world.
For the Balsamic Fruit Vinegar production process, the fruit pulp is fermented like a wine, macerated and allowed to mature. The maturation period is necessary to enhance the flavour intensity and aroma, and lasts for a minimum of three years. The Balsamic Vinegars are aged in wooden barrels. Our most mature Balsamic Vinegars are now more than ten years old and have an exquisite taste.
Selected Cape Wines are used to blend in with the flavour of the individual herbs, seeds or flower blossoms. Wild blooming flowers picked by hand are used to produce the Balsamic Flower Blossom Vinegars. The Balsamic Seed Vinegar flavour range is an excellent product for innovative chefs who like to experiment with different taste sensations.
The Balsamic Vinegars have a clear appearance and do not contain any fruit particles, and can therefore be conveniently used in a food-sprayer. The colour of the Balsamic Vinegars reflects the individual fruit/herb and develops a darker colour as it matures further. The Balsamic Vinegars have a typical sweet and sour taste with 6% acidity. All products are hand-filtered (not mechanically-filtered) to ensure maximum retention in flavour and aroma.
Product Range
Balsamic Fruit Vinegars
- Balsamic Raspberry Vinegar (10 years old)
- Balsamic Granadilla Vinegar (10 years old)
- Balsamic Raspberry Vinegar
- Balsamic Raspberry & Merlot Vinegar
- Balsamic Granadilla Vinegar
- Balsamic Lemon Vinegar
- Balsamic Orange Vinegar
- Balsamic Apple Cider Vinegar
- Balsamic Tomato Vinegar
- Balsamic Green Pepper Vinegar
- Balsamic Blueberry & Passion Fruit Vinegar*
Balsamic Herb Vinegars
- Balsamic Basil Vinegar
- Balsamic Tarragon Vinegar
- Balsamic Thyme Vinegar
- Balsamic Dill Vinegar
- Ballsamic Oregano Vinegar
- Balsamic Rosemary Vinegar
- Balsamic Mint Vinegar
- Balsamic Fresh Corriander Vinegar
- Balsamic Lemon Verbena Vinegar
Balsamic Seed Vinegars
- Balsamic Caraway Vinegar
- Balsamic Aniseed Vinegar
- Balsamic Coriander Seed Vinegar
- Balsamic Fennel Vinegar
Balsamic Flower Blossom Vinegars
- Balsamic Jasmine Blossom Vinegar
- Balsamic Lavender Blossom Vinegar
*The Balsamic Blueberry & Passion Fruit Vinegar is not available for retail; however it is available for professional chefs and private customers.
Minor sedimentation accumulated on the bottom of the Balsamic Vinegar bottle while standing is normal. Please note that the Balsamic Tomato and Blueberry & Passion Fruit Vinegar bottles need to be shaken before use.
The Balsamic Vinegars are obtainable in 250ml glass bottles (24 in a box).
The products can also be ordered in bulk for a reduced price, and are obtainable in 750ml glass bottles (for professional chefs), 5L containers, 25L containers and 30L wooden barrels.
Protea Hill Farm provides professional chefs or gourmet food-lovers the option of having their own Balsamic Vinegar Wooden Barrel containing 30L of any Balsamic Vinegar variety of their personal choice (see images above).
This is an ideal gift for any food-lover. It also allows restaurants and delicatessen shops the opportunity to bottle Award-winning Balsamic Vinegars on their own premises and apply their own label design to the bottles, which can then be used for advertising purposes, as decor on restaurant tables or as gifts to loyal customers. Just like with good wine, the longer the Balsamic Vinegar is allowed to mature within the wooden barrel, the stronger its flavour intensity and aroma.
The Balsamic Vinegar wooden barrel is 52 cm in length, and 30 cm in height. It comes with a polished stand (see images above), a plastic pipe and an optional custom-made plate (see image above). In the case of a personal gift, the custom-made plate is a perfect way to commemorate a special person or occasion. The plastic pipe is used as a means to check the liquid level in the wooden barrel.