Why was there a blob in my balsamic vinegar?

Question

I just realized why my decanter(?) wasn't pouring. I went to refill it and I saw something in it so I just poured the whole thing out and there was a huge boggery blob. I had it in one of those easy pour things with the spout. Is this because air got to it? should I not put vinegar back in it?

Answer 1

From Wikipedia

"Mother of vinegar" is a substance composed of a form of cellulose and acetic acid bacteria that develops on fermenting alcoholic liquids, which turns alcohol into acetic acid with the help of oxygen from the air. It is added to wine, cider, or other alcoholic liquids to produce vinegar.

Mother of vinegar can also form in store-bought vinegar if there is some non-fermented sugar and/or alcohol contained in the vinegar. While not appetizing in appearance, mother of vinegar is completely harmless and the surrounding vinegar does not have to be discarded because of it. It can be filtered out using a coffee filter, or simply left in and ignored.

Answer 2

That Boogery blob is settlement from the vinegar. As vinegar ages, it ferments making it a stronger and usually better tasting vinegar (not always). It's fine, just don't eat the goop.

Answer 3

There are solids that settle from the sweet balsamic vinegar.  They just form a glob and stick together.  Just strain it thru a coffee filter or fine mesh strainer and put it back in the washed pottle.

Answer 4

just put the vinegar in a strainer and filter it out it is nothing to worry about

Answer 5

Probably just a lump of pine gum, that's what Balsam is.