Vanilla extract is practically a staple of any kitchen cupboard. It’s so versatile! You can use it as a flavor enhancer, to add a little extra something to cookies and cakes or to create homemade vanilla sugar. It’s great for baking or even non-baking recipes like pancakes, yogurt, or smoothies. Vanilla extract is also popularly used in cocktails because the vanilla flavor blends well with fruit juices and other ingredients for an exquisite taste that everyone will love.
So, where can you find vanilla extract? Look in the baking aisle of your local grocery store. Or, if you need it right away and don’t have time to head to the store, buy it online. But before you reach for that bottle of cheap stuff on the shelf, read my article: Is Vanilla Extract Good For You?
Why is vanilla so expensive? If you’re looking for a quality vanilla flavor boost, it’s important that you choose a good tasting brand within your budget. I’m sure you’ve tasted the cheap stuff at some point in time and noticed that it basically tastes… nothing. Well, maybe there’s a hint of vanilla flavor but that’s about it.
The bulk of the bottle is filled with alcohol. Cheap brands of vanilla extract are made with a lot of alcohol (which evaporates quickly) in order to give the illusion of vanilla flavor. This is why you need to shake the goods before using it and even then, it tastes watered down.
Vanilla extracts that are made with high quality ingredients can literally last forever (they’re pretty darn strong). These extracts are made with real vanilla beans, ethyl alcohol and water which carry the most potent flavors. The vanilla beans contain hundreds of compounds which contribute to their amazing taste and aroma.
How do you know what to look for when you’re buying vanilla extract? You should be able to find information about the extract on the label. Is it an “imitation” vanilla extract that is made with high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors? Or is it made from natural vanilla beans and real ingredients? Just because it says “pure” doesn’t mean it’s really pure.
Also, check the label to make sure there are no added ingredients or preservatives. Fast foods and other processed foods contain hundreds of additives that we can’t even pronounce! So, don’t be fooled by marketing claims on food products just because they are advertised on television or come in a pretty package. Go for the real stuff. Buy your vanilla extract from a company that has nothing to hide.
I was recently contacted by a mother who was concerned about her young son’s health. She explained that he would often get sick after eating candy or other sugar-laden products. He would also get inexplicably tired after eating sugar-free products or foods, including “natural foods” or products which she thought to be good for him. When I asked her about his diet and his vitamin and mineral supplements, she responded, he was taking an all natural vitamin supplement before bedtime and the only other time he took vitamins was when he ate very busy food like breakfast cereal or quiche (containing eggs).
If you knew the story of how vanilla became the world’s favorite flavor, then you’d understand why vanilla extract is on our list of “must find” items.
Vanilla extract is a liquid mix made by soaking and breaking down vanilla bean pods in alcohol and water, and then filtering out the results.
It can be homemade, but it usually takes about 2 months of soaking to be ready.
Although it’s worth the wait as it’s a more natural option, especially now that there are speculations as to what’s really in the imitation vanilla selling on the market, these days.
So if you want to know where to find vanilla extract in the grocery store, let’s help you find original brands.
Where is vanilla extract in grocery store
Vanilla extract is usually in the Baking aisle of the grocery store as it features in many baking recipes. E.g. cookies, pancakes, etc. They mostly come in glass bottles, however they’re easy to confuse with the imitation brands.
So it’s best to read the labels before purchase and study the bottles closely. Real vanilla extract comes in a dark shade of brown, while the imitations are clear and see through.
Though if you miss it, always ask the employees hanging around the store, or the Front End of the store to help you out.
Where is the best place to buy vanilla extract?
Currently, these are the best places to buy vanilla extract:
Amazon
Amazon has almost everything you’re looking for, being one of the largest stores in the world. Its current bestseller is the Watkins All-Natural vanilla extract. But it also houses other great brands like the McCormick pure vanilla extract. You can order them and get doorstep delivery.
Watkins All Natural Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla, with Pure Vanilla Extract, 11 ounces Bottle, 1 Count (Packaging May Vary)
Watkins All Natural Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla, with Pure Vanilla Extract, 11 ounces Bottle, 1 Count (Packaging May Vary)
Made with Pure Vanilla Extract and all naturally derived ingredients
Concentrated, bake and freeze proof blend is ideal for baking
No Artificial Colors or Flavors. Note: Contains Sulfites
Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Corn Syrup Free, Kosher
Crafted in the USA
McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract, 16 fl oz
Premium pure vanilla bean extract with a deep, rich taste and color
Each batch blended for consistent flavor in every bottle
A baker’s best friend — even balances meat and seafood dishes
No corn syrup, gluten-free and Non-GMO
Perfect addition to cakes, cookies, pies and other baked goods
Walmart
Walmart has a long list of vanilla extract products to choose from. If you love free shipping, you’ll be delighted to know that most of them are eligible for it. You can visit any of the available outlets in your region or order online.
Kroger
Kroger houses only the best brands of Vanilla extracts, and for affordable prices too. Even better, it has its own brand, the pure vanilla extract. Currently, it’s available for delivery and pickup, but not for shipping. Although, you can check out the other vanilla extract product varieties before making your final choice.
Whole Foods
Like Kroger, Whole Foods has its own brand, which is this 365 Whole Foods vanilla extract. It’s suitable for vegans and Keto-friendly. There’s also this other pure vanilla extract made by a different brand known as Simply Organic. Presently, you can’t order them online, but you can visit any of the stores near you to purchase them.
Trader Joe’s
Here’s another store that prides itself on having its own vanilla extract brand. Although you can’t order it from the online platform, you can always get Trader Joe’s pure Bourbon vanilla extract on Amazon. Alternatively, you can visit any of the stores near you.
Wegmans
Wegmans also has its own brand of vanilla extract, which is the Organic Premium vanilla extract and this other Pure Vanilla extract. Both are gluten-free, and eligible for home delivery.
H.E.B
H.E.B currently has vanilla extract in stock. It’s inventory is quite large, so you’ll have a wide selection of vanilla extracts to choose from.
How important is vanilla extract in a recipe?
Vanilla extract isn’t a core or “must-have” ingredient, except in a few recipes that use it as a base or theme ingredient. E.g. Vanilla pancakes.
You can leave it out of your recipe if you don’t have it in your pantry or can’t afford the cost.
However, it amplifies flavor in pastries, from cookies down to cakes. So if you’re always complaining about how your recipes don’t come out right, it’s worth giving a try.
Does Walmart have vanilla extract?
Yes, Walmart has it. It comes in three different forms. Its own label, its own brand, H.E.B vanilla extract, McCormick pure vanilla extract and Watkins all-natural gourmet baking vanilla extract.
Is vanilla extract healthy?
You’d be surprised to see all the different health claims made online about vanilla extract.
Basically, there is no absolute truth to it, but it’s still on the list of good ingredients.
Keep in mind that these are all natural and organic extracts. The only difference between them is the cooking process that they use to extract the flavoring from their ingredients.
They contain no gluten, corn syrup, or artificial colorings or flavors. They also have a neutral flavor so you can add them in any dish without having to worry about flavor imbalances.
Does Kroger have vanilla extract?
Kroger isn’t just a grocery store, it’s a market place for a number of different products. It currently has vanilla extract in stock as part of its brand and as part of McCormick’s brand.
How much does vanilla extract cost?
The answer to this question depends on the quantity that you want, or the brand that you choose. For example, McCormick pure bourbon vanilla extract costs $21 at Walmart. On the other hand, Simply Organic’s pure vanilla extract costs $6 at Whole Foods. Depending on your needs and budget, you can find one that fits your taste and preferences.
How are vanilla beans made?
If you’re wondering how some foods like vanilla extract get to be big, rich, and flavorful, it all starts off with the ingredients. Vanilla bean is no different. It’s a rare ingredient that’s labor-intensive to produce, but the final result is worth it all. The natural flavor of vanilla comes from its indigenous growing region in Mexico that’s located in the tropical rainforest called Mesoamerica.
What is similar to vanilla extract?
Basically, vanilla extract is made by extracting the flavor and aroma of the flavoring ingredient called vanilla beans.
On a nutritionally correct diet, you should use vanilla extract instead of sugar to sweeten your desserts. So if you’re going to use it to make pancakes or baked goods, you’ll need to make sure that they taste good enough without using a lot of sugar. Vanilla extract is a flavoring agent that’s used by professionals in their recipes because it adds depth and flavor.
There are also other similar products that are mass-produced but can still be purchased at any grocery or super market store.
The final verdict is that the best vanilla extract is the one that you can get for the least amount of money and the one that you like best. Who knows? It could be a combination of more than one vanilla extract. For example, you can complement your extract with a few other vanilla-flavored ingredients such as vanilla-bean seeds, and some other ingredients as well. You may also choose to garnish them with some sprigs of mint leaves or slivered almonds. The choice is yours and it’s completely up to you to decide what will work best for your immediate needs as well as long-term goals as a cook. But we believe you’ll find your way to the perfect vanilla extract. Now that you’ve found the best vanilla extract, it’s time to learn how to use it in your cooking and baking.
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