The Secret Ingredient At Costco That Adds A Tangy, Gourmet Touch To Any Dish

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Shopping at Costco isn't just about bulk-buying and cramming your pantry with your fave items. The warehouse retailer offers plenty of unique finds, including international and gourmet foods at a discount. One such find is the Compagnia del Montale Balsamic Pearls. 

Also called balsamic caviar, these gelatinous spheres resemble large caviar or small boba. When bitten into their liquid center, balsamic flavor oozes into even the most basic of dishes. The Compagnia del Montale Balsamic Pearls are produced in Modena, Italy, but are available on the Costco website for $44.99 for a 1.8-ounce jar of the standard balsamic vinegar pearls and another of the balsamic white pearls. Although only reviewed by two Costco shoppers, this imported gem has been well received, earning a 5-star rating from both. One reviewer says, "The product is wonderful! We have really enjoyed it and have given it as gifts to many friends." The other echoes the sentiment, writing, "I bought this a couple of weeks ago and my family loves it."

The intense taste held within each pearl is noted as a combination of bittersweet and acidic with a whole lot of aromatic flavors. The pearls, with their outer jelly texture, are traditionally used in a variety of both sweet and savory dishes.

Balsamic vinegar can be used to elevate a variety of dishes — Ina Garten uses it to upgrade strawberries — but in pearl form, it adds an even more gourmet touch, deepening the flavor and adding a pleasant aesthetic to your plate. The pearls also versatile. Besides preservatives and the thickening and gelling agents, they only contain a mixture of balsamic vinegar or white condiment (the legal name for white balsamic vinegar) and water, so they can be used in almost any recipe where balsamic vinegar is commonly used — and in a few new applications too.

Balsamic vinaigrette commonly dresses leafy salads topped with nuts, fruits, and goat cheese. Instead, sprinkle your salad with balsamic pearls to add pops of bright, acidic flavor. You can toss your nuts in a combination of honey and mustard before roasting them and add a small drizzle of olive oil to finish the dish, if you feel you're missing some of the other vinaigrette flavors. Caprese salad is another classic application. Instead of a drizzle of balsamic glaze, opt to turn this sliced salad into Caprese toast. Chop the mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil into bite-sized pieces and combine with balsamic pearls, olive oil, and seasonings. Top toasted bread with the mixture for a bruschetta-inspired twist on the classic salad. 

But don't be afraid to think out of the box with this intriguing ingredient. Consider combining balsamic vinegar pearls with lemon or lime to top off fish tartare. Use them like sprinkles on a bowls of vanilla ice cream and fruit or slip a few into a glass of Champagne for a sophisticated boost to an already elegant beverage. Because, if you're going to capitalize on Costco's selection of unique, imported goods, why play it safe?