balsamic
Dark Italian condiment
Balsamic describes things that are soothing, healing, or fragrant—derived from balsam, an aromatic resin.
The word appears most often in balsamic vinegar, an aged Italian condiment made from grape must, dark and syrupy with a sweet-tart complexity.
A balsamic breeze or balsamic air suggests something pleasantly aromatic and restorative.
Making something smaller
- glazeThin lustrous coating
- drizzleVery light precipitation
- marinadeSeasoned steeping liquid
- vinaigretteOil-and-sour sauce
dressing · caramelization · finishing · bruschetta · caprese · strawberries · prosciutto · fig
Emilian city, sports cars
- condimentFlavor-adding table sauce
- syrupyExcessively sweet or sentimental
- tartSharp-flavored small pie
- acidicBelow neutral pH
fermented · DOP · barrel-aged · mother · Italian · viscosity · tangy · pungent
Pleasing olfactory quality
- bouquetArranged cluster of blooms
- noseOlfactory facial organ
- pungentSharply strong-smelling
- fruityHaving orchard flavor
woody · sweet · complex · volatile · acetous · grape · winey · aromatic
Sharp and lively-tasting
- complexHaving many interconnected parts
- fruityHaving orchard flavor
- woodyMade of tree-stuff
- caramelizedBrowned through sugar heating
grape · raisin · fig · cherry · plum · molasses · mellow · rich
Reddish-brown tropical lumber
- espressoConcentrated pressurized brew
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
- dark brownDeep earthy hue
- glossySmooth and shiny
reduction
Making something smaller
vinaigrette · dressing · caramelization · finishing · bruschetta · caprese · strawberries · prosciutto · fig · pear
Modena
Emilian city, sports cars
- condimentFlavor-adding table sauce
- syrupyExcessively sweet or sentimental
- tartSharp-flavored small pie
acidic · fermented · DOP · barrel-aged · mother · Italian · viscosity · tangy · pungent
fragrance
Pleasing olfactory quality
fruity · woody · sweet · complex · volatile · acetous · grape · winey · aromatic · essence
tangy
Sharp and lively-tasting
caramelized · grape · raisin · fig · cherry · plum · molasses · mellow · rich · velvety
mahogany
Reddish-brown tropical lumber
- espressoConcentrated pressurized brew
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
- dark brownDeep earthy hue
glossy · translucent · deep · ruby · chestnut · burnished · lustrous
maturation
Process of becoming complete
time-honored · mellowed · heritage · tradition · classic · old-world · battery · solera
- vinegarsvinegar, white vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar
- liquidswater, milk, oil, blood, juice
- fragrancesperfume, cologne, aftershave, essential oils, floral
- ItalyRome, Venice, Milan, Florence, Naples
- dressingsranch, vinaigrette, blue cheese, thousand island, honey mustard
- Fermented Foodskimchi, sauerkraut, miso, yogurt, soy sauce
balsamicdistilled
Purified by vaporization
white · clear · unaged · malt vinegar
balsamicplain
Basic and unremarkable
sharp · harsh · neutral · astringent · acrid
balsamicclear
Without obstruction or fog
transparent · colorless · pale · white vinegar · thin
- balsamic vinegarAged Italian grape condiment
- balsamic glazeReduced sweet-sour condiment
- balsam firResinous North American conifer
- balsamic reductionSimmered vinegar concentrate
- aged balsamicLong-fermented grape reduction