- Prep time:10 minutes plus 6 weeks
- Cooking time:None
- Recipe serves:1 Litre
Home-made Balsamic Vinegar? Oh yes please, super easy and totally gorgeous too by using divine pine. Here we have choosen our native white pine Kahikatea, the tallest tree in our forest :) Evergreen pine needles are rich in vitamin C and oozing with antibacterial properties. Just the thing to prevent, or treat, colds and sore throats, because vinegar seeks wonderful minerals from what ever herb or plant you use. It is a wonderful weekend activity for the family, try to pick a on a dry sunny day, all you have to do is stuff a jar with pine needles. Then fill it to the top with apple cider vinegar (with the mother culture) cap with a non-metal lid (or greaseproof paper and a rubber band) and label with the date and contents. Your pine needle vinegar is ready to use in a day or two, but the longer it sits, the better it tastes. After six weeks, it is strong enough to be called “Home-made Balsamic Vinegar.” You can usually get a good idea of how strong the finished vinegar will be taste by nibbling on some of the pine needles. Wonderful gift for Christmas, would be amazing sloshed onto fresh strawberries, into a salad dressing or into a cheeky festive cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 Litre of apple cider vinegar (with the mother)
- Pine needles of your choice
Method
- Stuff a clean sterile jar with your pine needles to the top
- Pour over your apple cider vinegar to cover needles
- Place a non corrosive lid or baking paper and rubber band on top
- Label and date (including the species of pine if you know it)
- Leave 6 weeks in a cool dark place, such as the pantry
- Decanter the pine needles by using a nut milk bag or sieve
- Fill bottles and reliable, ready for use :)