I never realized how important vanilla extract was until I started making it. Before I started making my own vanilla extract I would go to my local store and grab one of two options, Mccormick pure vanilla extract, usually the smaller bottle because I didn't use much or the store brand depending on the pricing and how I felt that day. I barely baked at the time. I would purchase the extract for sweet potato pies during Thanksgiving season or if I felt a little spicy and wanted a homemade cake or cookies.
What is Vanilla Extract??
If you’ve ever baked or brewed a cozy cup of coffee, you know the power of vanilla. But when it comes to vanilla extract and vanilla flavoring, what’s really the difference? And how do they impact the taste and quality of your creations? Let’s explore the nuances so you can make the best choice for all things vanilla!
Pure vanilla extract only has two necessary ingredients, alcohol and vanilla beans.Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol, which draws out the rich, complex flavors locked within the beans. Thats it, but there are requirements for an item to be considered pure vanilla extract. It must use an alcohol of at least 35% with a minimum of 100 grams of vanilla beans per liter.
Many store-bought vanilla extracts come loaded with unnecessary additives for preservation and so-called "flavor enhancement." These extracts are often watered down to stretch the product, which dilutes the richness and natural essence of vanilla. It’s like enjoying a refreshing iced tea—until the ice melts, leaving you with a weak, watered-down version of what was once full-bodied flavor. Pure vanilla doesn’t need fillers or extra water; the real thing speaks for itself, offering a depth and authenticity that artificial enhancements simply can’t replicate.The Flavor Advantage
Since vanilla extract is derived from real vanilla beans, its flavor is natural and multi-dimensional. It enhances baked goods with layers of taste, rather than a one-note sweetness. With pure vanilla extract, you’re experiencing the essence of vanilla in its truest form, making your recipes sing with depth and authenticity
What is Vanilla Flavoring??
Vanilla flavoring, on the other hand, usually does not contain any real vanilla. It’s a synthetic product created to mimic the taste of vanilla through lab-made compounds, most often derived from vanillin, the main flavor compound in vanilla beans. Since it’s created artificially, vanilla flavoring lacks the full-bodied complexity of real vanilla. It’s a single-note imitation, often lacking the nuances that make vanilla such a prized ingredient.
Why It Falls Short
While it may seem like a good budget-friendly option, vanilla flavoring doesn’t offer the same richness or warmth. It’s often described as a flat or one-dimensional flavor. And while it may work in recipes that require a quick vanilla hint, it doesn’t deliver the depth you’d expect in something like a custard, cake, or homemade ice cream.
Vanilla Extract vs. Vanilla Flavoring??
Pure vanilla extract is different from vanilla flavoring. Vanilla Flavoring uses artificial ingredients like synthetic vanillin, corn syrup, and lignin, an ingredient typically extracted from wood pulp. The labels usually read Imitation Vanilla Flavoring or Vanilla flavoring. I would always recommend to turn the container around and read the ingredients to know for sure what you are buying.
Which Should You Use?
If quality and flavor are your priorities, pure vanilla extract is the way to go. For dishes where vanilla is a key flavor, like panna cotta or crème brûlée, using real vanilla makes all the difference. Vanilla flavoring may work in a pinch, but it simply won’t deliver the same results in recipes where vanilla shines.
Final Thoughts
Vanilla is a timeless ingredient, and knowing the difference between extract and flavoring can make or break a recipe. While vanilla flavoring might be okay for quick recipes, opting for real vanilla extract, or even making your own, will add a luxurious touch to your kitchen creations. So next time you reach for vanilla, remember the difference. Embrace the beauty of real vanilla extract, and let every bite (and sip) be infused with genuine, soul-warming flavor!
How to Make Vanilla Extract??
Vanilla Extract is quite easy to make at home. All you need as I mentioned earlier is quality vanilla beans and your alcohol of choice. Most store-bought vanilla extracts use vodka as the base because its neutral flavor perfectly captures and highlights the essence of the vanilla beans.Unlike some commercial extracts that are diluted with added sugars or lesser-quality beans, homemade extract is as pure as it gets. Plus, you can customize it with unique beans (Madagascar, Tahitian, Mexican) to tailor the flavor to your liking.
Our Vanilla Extract
Since I began baking, it’s become a real passion—maybe even a bit of a mastery! I bake weekly, from cookies to cakes, and vanilla extract has been my go-to ingredient in almost every recipe. Sometimes I add it just because I love it so much! Discovering the difference in taste with quality, pure vanilla extract was eye-opening; it’s a treat that’s truly worth the wait.
Our vanilla extract is made with only the best vanilla beans and a clean, additive-free spirit—no caramel coloring here! We never water it down, except with Everclear to balance its strength (a lesson learned after a too-dry, overly strong first batch). Our extracts age for 6 to 12 months for peak flavor, and when it’s bottled, it’s already been doing its thing for at least half a year. That date on the bottle? That’s the finish line, not the starting point!
We offer a variety of vanilla extracts, so if you don’t have the time or patience to make your own, we’ve got you covered!