Understanding vanilla product labels can certainly get complicated as new products flood the market and old products get rebranded. There are actually five different types of liquid vanilla in the marketplace right now and we’re not talking five different species here. We’re talking labels and what’s inside the bottles.
As I get asked about the difference between pure, flavor, natural, and imitation vanilla frequently, I decided to write an article specifically addressing what’s in the bottle and why it’s labeled the way it is.
For those looking for a cheap substitute to the real thing because it’s so expensive right now, this is also good to know.
We’ll start with pure vanilla extract.
PURE VANILLA
What Makes Pure Vanilla Extract Pure?
There is a Standard of Identity for vanilla extract in the United States. To be labeled Pure Vanilla Extract, a gallon measure must contain 13.35% vanilla bean extractives (10-ounces of moisture-free solids), 35% alcohol, and the balance in distilled water.
What is not listed in the Standard of Identity is sugar, corn syrup, caramel color or any other additives pure vanilla may contain.
Some companies include one or more of these ingredients on their labels, but most do not – even though their pure vanilla contains it. The same is true with alcohol. Grain alcohol is the most commonly used alcohol in vanilla, but sugarcane alcohol is also used. Sugar or corn syrup are often used to mask the harsh notes of alcohol or to make the extract smell and taste better if the quality of the beans used were not good quality.
If you have issues with gluten or sugars, check with the company whose vanilla you’ve purchased. Rain’s Choice vanilla is made with sugar cane alcohol and contains no additional sugars or additives. As a result, our vanilla extract is gluten-free, sugar-free and gmo-free.
IMITATION VANILLA
What Is Imitation Vanilla Made From?
Imitation vanilla is synthetic vanillin made in a laboratory. If the product is clear, it’s 100% synthetic vanillin. If it is caramel color, it has been dyed with caramel color (which also contains sugar) or other dyes. If you purchase imitation vanilla in the U.S. super markets, it is safe.
Far less than 1% of the so-called vanilla extracts or essences sold throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and the rest of the Americas are pure vanilla extract or flavor. They are made from synthetic vanillin, with some containing 2% alcohol used as a preservative. They usually contain sugar and other ingredients, some of which may be considered carcinogenic in the U.S. There are no label laws in many countries in the Americas, and those that have them don’t enforce them.
Hopefully this information will help you make informed decisions about which liquid vanilla is best for your needs.
VANILLA FLAVOR
Is Vanilla Flavor Fake or Real?
Vanilla flavor is made with required amount of vanilla bean extractives, but without alcohol. Propylene glycol is the most common carrier used for producing the flavor.
The Standard of Identity states that this product cannot be labeled extract due to the lack of alcohol. Vanilla flavor is a good choice for anyone who is avoiding alcohol. Unfortunately, however, some people are allergic to propylene glycol. In that case, a reasonable substitute for vanilla flavor is pure ground vanilla bean powder.
WONFs
(aka “With Other Natural Flavors”)
Other Natural Flavors (known in the vanilla industry as WONFs which stands for “with other natural flavors”) came onto the market during the vanilla crisis that began in 2000 after three cyclones struck Madagascar in just a few months.
The cyclones destroyed at least 30% of the vanilla beans, and as a result, with so little vanilla available and costs soaring, manufacturers wanted something affordable for flavoring frozen desserts, dairy, and packaged desserts. (You can read more about what caused vanilla prices to soar here.)
To meet the demand for a more affordable vanilla, there is now even a product on the market made from highly genetically modified yeast and DNA created on a 3D printer.
It should be noted that WONFs sometimes contain synthetic vanillin to boost flavor. So if synthetic is something you want to avoid, as we do here, be sure to read the label carefully.
Natural Vanilla Extracts –
PRICE IS RIGHT. SO IS THE FLAVOR.
Similar to WONFs, natural flavors vary in their ingredients. The Vanilla Company currently is selling a double-strength all natural vanilla extract and natural vanilla paste that contain a blend of pure vanilla extract and natural flavors made from plants other than vanilla. It smells very much like pure vanilla but without the deep notes of pure vanilla extract.
The decision to carry this product was made due to the extremely high cost of pure vanilla extract and the fact that so many small artisan companies simply could not afford it. Our company considers this product as a bridge to get through the current crisis.
If You Can’t Afford Pure Vanilla Extract, Our Natural Vanilla Extract Is a Great Substitute!
As with all our extracts, we have strict quality and taste controls to make sure you are getting the best on the market as our customers will testify, in fact, it took the product producer ten years to come up with a good natural vanilla extract that we approve of! And now with no surprise, so do our customers!
“I stepped out and gave this a try in vanilla ice cream and WOW it’s amazing. Flavored my ice cream perfectly. I bought the 32 oz and the minute it gets low, I’ll order another bottle. I can see many uses for this so I’m looking forward to trying it in other recipes. Fantastic product – very, very happy.” – Mark Butcher
More reviews can be found on the actual product pages. They are quite excited about it, but if you desire a stronger flavor, I suggest blending our natural flavors with our pure vanilla extract in order to give baked goods, ice creams or other foods a rich flavor less expensive.
Can you get sick from expired vanilla extract?
First of all, there is nothing wrong with virgin vanilla extract. Vanilla extract that has been gone bad will smell, look and taste terrible. This can be smelled before it is ingested by noticing a rancid chemical smell. The contamination is from the vanilla bean itself and most often occurs when someone buys a bottle at the store and does not pay attention to the expiration date on the bottle.
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration for food safety, vanilla beans must be stored at temperatures below 50°F (10°C) for about four years, or until opened. After that, the amount of time the vanilla will keep is unknown due to its sensitive nature. For this reason, it is recommended that if you should ever forget to place your vanilla on the back shelf in your pantry, and then forget again to remove it a couple of months later, you can just throw the whole bottle away.
It is also wise not to purchase vanilla extract made with real or imitation vanilla beans in bottles small enough to use as a table candle. These are often very inexpensive and may contain less than 3% alcohol (for which there is no regulation). The small amounts of alcohol used as a preservative may actually be more harmful than beneficial.
How do you know if vanilla extract has gone bad?
Vanilla extract that has gone bad will have the vanilla taste and smell, but will be much like a thick syrup. Sometimes there may be a brownish or gray tint to the liquid as well. When there is no vanilla taste or smell, then it is probably expired.
How can you tell when to throw it out?
You should check your bottle of vanilla extract every month or two; usually by trying a bit. If there is no rancid odor, then the amount of alcohol in your bottle has not changed and you should use it for another six months. If the vanilla does stink or turn brown, throw it out immediately.
Does imitation flavoring go bad?
Yes. Products containing imitation vanilla will turn rancid long before the expiration date printed on the bottle. If your product has turned brown or smells of alcohol or chemicals, it is time to throw it out.
Is there a difference between natural and imitation vanilla extract?
Yes. Natural vanillin is extracted from real vanilla beans; imitation vanilla usually contains vanillin derived from lignin (wood pulp) and other ingredients such as benzaldehyde, clove oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein and eugenol (oil of clove). Natural vanilla has a rich, complex flavor with floral notes that are missing from imitation flavorings.
Does imitation vanilla taste bad?
When using imitation vanilla, one will notice a difference in flavor, even though the artificial flavor vanillin may be present. It is not supposed to taste like real vanilla. The imitation flavors are intended to give you a different or more complex vanilla taste with a clean, neutral background note.
Can you drink red wine with vanilla extract?
Vanilla extract made from real vanilla beans does not contain alcohol and can be used for anything in your cupboard! In fact, one of the first things we suggest is that you add extract to your coffee or hot chocolate and enjoy! All our extracts are alcohol free so don’t worry about possible effects on your health or safety.
As you can see, vanilla extracts are a must for cakes, cookies and pastries and everyone should learn to use them. They are very easy to use, store and make. Natural vanilla beans are the best choice when you don’t have much money to spend on vanilla extract. In the end it all depends on your personal preferences and of course – money. While we cannot tell you what will satisfy your cravings the best, we can tell you that Vanille Extracts is an excellent way to chew on something tasty! Enjoy!!!
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