PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHANGES AND SENSORY CHARACTERIZATION OF A BALSAMIC VINEGAR DRESSING AT DIFFERENT °BRIX

J. CHIRIFE, M. SANSINENA, M. GALMARINI, M.C. ZAMORA

FOOD AND BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGY

SPRINGER

Año: 2009 p. 1 - 7

1935-5130

A balsamic vinegar dressing was developed by concentrating commercial balsamic vinegar (wine vinegar + grape juice) by evaporation under controlled conditions; evaporation increased the content of glucose + fructose that was naturally present in the balsamic vinegar leading to high Brix values. The water activity (aw) and viscosity of the balsamic dressing at various °Brix were measured and modeled using previously reported equations for the behavior of fructose/glucose, which showed a good fit. A quantitative descriptive analysis was performed and samples were grouped in three clusters corresponding to low (31.1 -  51.2), intermediate (64.0 - 67.5), and high (71.8 - 76.0) °Brix. Samples of highest °Brix were associated with sweetness, caramel flavor, visual viscosity, and reduced sourness and acetic aroma, attributes which differentiated these samples from the control and which are considered desirable for a dressing to be used with cold meats, cheeses, and desserts.