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Encore Presentation
Everybody knows balsamic vinegar, but here we’re not talking about just any vinegar, we’re working with barrel-aged balsamic vinegar imported from Italy. Try our trio of recipes—we think you’ll be able to appreciate the difference.
What’s your favorite way to use balsamic vinegar in the kitchen?
Get the recipe: Strawberries and Ice Cream with Balsamic Vinegar Reduction
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This was good the first time it aired a year ago, but why is it being shown as a repeat?
August 11th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
@Bryan Whoops – we forgot to include that this was an ‘encore presentation’ of a previous episode of Secret Ingredient. We had our awesome video editors cut a new, more concise version of the original for our growing audience to enjoy. Hope those of you who have seen the original enjoy this version and hope those of you who are seeing it for the first time like it too!
August 11th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I looove balsamic vinegar and one of my favorite things to do is used it as a marinade! Just marinate your chicken or beef in a ziplock bag with the vinegar, some herbs, salt and olive oil if desired, and grill! Yummy!
August 12th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I totally miss Scott Simon! I love his enthusiasm and energy for the products and his philosophy of eating naturally and organically. What ever happened to him?
August 12th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
@Janie Scott now leads the Marketing for the South West Region and had to pass on the Secret Ingredient torch to other team members. Time allowing, Scott might host additional episodes in the future but for now there are a lot of talented team members that have a tone of culinary experience that we hope to tap into. We welcome feedback on any of the hosts so that we can make sure that we are providing our viewers with outstanding culinary entertainment.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Shannon- Thank you so much for your suggestion. I agree with you — balsamic vinegar is a culinary staple in my kitchen too! I also use it as a marinade, in pan sauces, vinaigrettes and glazes. During the summer I like to brush balsamic vinegar simmered with honey, rosemary and garlic over chicken breasts about two minutes before they are done. It turns into a tangy, sweet caramelized glaze. Yum!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
@Janie,
I’m still here, working at Whole Foods Market, talking about food every day, all day. So even though you don’t see me on every episode, this operation is chock-a-block with food freaks like me, all day, every day.
So, to show off other members of our team, for me, is just a reflection of what our company is all about, and why I work here. There are THOUSANDS of Whole Foods Market faces, and this is another way for us to celebrate them.
Thanks for keeping up with our little show, and for the very sweet compliment.
Scott
August 13th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
i purchased several bottles of balsamic vinegar (not whole foods private label)from the whole foods store in charleston, sc, in december 2007. i cannot recall the name. it was a plain tall glass bottle with a paper label with subtle one-color writing (picture)not flashy at all and not too pricey. i have been to several whole foods markets in north carolina since then but they have always been out of stock… i once found it on the small italian producer’s website taken from my last whole foods bottle which my husband accidently threw away. i would so appreciate it if i found this wonderful product again. hopefully wholefoods can assit.
many thanks
lynette
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:40 pm
What brands of balsamic vinegar do you carry that does not have lead in it?
October 11th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Hey! I was just wondering… does your Balsamic Vinegar have the Proposition 65 Lead Warning?
Where do your grapes come from, for making your Balsamic?
Is it possible to find any Balsamic without Lead??
THanks!
Lauren Halliburton
p.s. I live in California where they REQUIRE it on labeling.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:48 pm
@Lauren I’m checking in with our Private Label team about your concern. I’ll get back to you shortly!
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I too am interested to know if you carry a Balsamic vinegar that is lead-free, or at least below the Prop 65 threshold? Since the date of your last reply to another reader’s question was over 2 months ago, I’m guessing the answer is “no”. Care to comment?
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:54 am
I am also interested in finding out what brands of balsamic or red wine vinegar you have that may be lead free, and if you can shed more light on why there is lead in those vinegars. Thank you!
Dawn
January 5th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I also want to find out if you sell any balsamic vinegars that are lead free. I have stopped purchasing balsamic vinegar because of the lead issue.
January 28th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Hi All. I’d like to offer my personal apologies for not getting an answer more quickly with regards to the Prop 65 issue. I’m still working with our Private Label team for clarification and will post the answer here as soon as I’ve got it! Thanks.
January 29th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I was shocked to see lead-warning signs on balsamic vinegar when visiting California home last year. My daughter has ingested it daily for 11 of her 13 years. She likes it so much, she even used to drink it (in small quantities) We currently live in Taiwan where vinegar is considered a healthy digestive and not so strange to drink. I want to have her tested for lead when we return to States next summer. In meantime, my research for lead-free alternatives found this balsamic made by OOliveOil in CA. Some of their oils were available at Surfa’s in LA last year. Not sure about vinegars.
http://www.ooliveoil.com/why_california_balsamic.php
Whole Foods, you should check this out.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Hi everyone! Almost all balsamic and red wine vinegars contain a minute amount of lead (most likely absorbed by the grapes from naturally occurring lead in the soil). There is no evidence that use of these wine vinegars in normal quantities presents any health risk, and we consider these products acceptable under our quality standards. A settlement of certain Proposition 65 claims in California relating to this issue has occurred, and several grocers, including Whole Foods, have posted notices that these vinegars contain lead. The settlement does not require that the sale of any of these vinegars be discontinued.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Does Whole Foods carry any of the “lead free” balsamic like the California balsamic from O Olive Oil? I’m in Northern California and hoping to find a store close to me that carries this brand as a safer alternative. Thank You! I found information about it here: http://www.ooliveoil.com/why_california_balsamic.php
February 18th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Winnie Hsia: Hi everyone! Almost all balsamic and red wine vinegars contain a minute amount of lead (most likely absorbed by the grapes from naturally occurring lead in the soil). There is no evidence that use of these wine vinegars in normal quantities presents any health risk, and we consider these products acceptable under our quality standards
Does this apply to women who are pregnant? And furthermore, I see the O Olive Oil produces products that are in complaince with prop 65, I am unclear what that means. Does in compliance mean it is labeled correctly or that it does not contain lead?
March 10th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
@Christine There is no evidence that use of these wine vinegars in normal quantities presents any health risk, and we consider these products acceptable under our quality standards. That being said, it is up to you (and your health care practitioner) to decide what you feel is safe to consume during your pregnancy. Being in compliance with Prop 65 means that our products are labeled correctly.
March 12th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Winnie, As of March 12, your last post,you were still selling balsamic vinegar. Now you have stopped selling it at least in Northern California. What’s the story?
May 25th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Hi Ron, as of today there have been no updates/changes to Prop 65. I checked in w/ our Quality Standards folks and our folks in Nor Cal and we have not discontinued any lines of balsamic vinegar as a result of Prop 65. Perhaps the items were simply moved or out of stock on the day you visited. Thanks!
June 1st, 2009 at 2:26 pm