Telegraph Hill: Manuka Smoke Infused Balsamic Drizzle
Review: Balsamic Vinegar ★★★★★
We have tried a lot of balsamic vinegar over the years, and most have disappointed. We found some great balsamics in Italy, of course, but they were super expensive. You pay for quality, but at €150 for a bottle, you have to stop and question if it’s really worth it. We like to eat well, but we’re not rich.
That being said, we found a lovely balsamic vinegar that hails from New Zealand. It’s priced moderately at $20Nz for a 250ml bottle and hits that sweet spot of great quality with affordability. Something surprisingly rare in the world of balsamic vinegars.
The taste is very unique. It’s got that sweet edge you find in a normal balsamic vinegar, but the smokiness adds gravitas to the flavor. It works fantastic as part of a homemade salad dressing, but also compliments meats particularly well. It’s quite potent and doesn’t take much to enrich the flavor of whatever you’re making.
A few things to note:
- Because this is a balsamic vinegar, there is some sugar here. So, it’s not as carb-friendly as we would like in a salad dressing, but it’s acceptable when used in moderation.
- Be careful of similar products. Telegraph Hill offers a Balsamic Drizzle that is not smoked. It’s cheaper, but it’s really not that good. We ordered it by mistake last year and were a bit disappointed.
What To Use balsamic vinegar On
This balsamic vinegar works great if you drizzle it over roasted vegetables, chicken, or even as part as a salad dressing. Here’s a few recipes you could add it to.
Nitpicking
There is one thing we don’t like. The bottles had a narrow plastic nozzle that extended out when the cap was removed. This made portioning out the vinegar very easy. Sadly, when they redesigned the bottle they nixed this feature. In its place is a gaping hole that has disaster written all over it. I have no idea why they decided to remove such a useful feature, but it probably had to do with cost cutting.
Where to get it
If you’re shopping in Japan, you can order this amazing vinegar on Amazon. Unfortunately, I can’t find it on the American Amazon. Sorry.
(disregard the photo; Amazon seems to have made a mistake)
You can also order from their official website.
Sadly, their shipping prices are outrageous and make it not worth it. This is why it’s a strong recommendation for Japan or New Zealand only.
Is how this is a product of New Zealand…