At some point, you will likely end up with spoiled vanilla extract. How do you know if the vanilla extract you have is bad? This simple guide to tell the difference between Mexican and Madagascar vanilla extracts.
What’s the difference between Mexican and Madagascar Vanillas
Vanilla pod fruits without flowers are referred to as “Mexican” vanilla beans. These are considered easier to work with because they’re rounder, less pointed, and have a deep color. The other type of vanilla bean is from a plant with flowers that creates a dark red pod fruit. These are commonly referred to as Madagascar vanilla beans.
Which Vanilla Extract is Bad
You need to test the vanilla extract before tossing it out because not all vanilla extracts spoil easily. Some of the signs that you should toss your Mexican or Madagascar vanilla extract (or both) include A change in color, a change in flavor, or a change inconsistency.
To get the most from your vanilla, you will want to follow these rules for the storage of fresh beans and extract: Store whole beans in an airtight container in a cool and dark place away from heat sources.
Always store your beans whole and never store ground beans as they will degrade quickly. Test your vanilla extract by adding a small amount to your favorite recipe and wait for a few weeks before using it. If you notice that the vanilla extract has changed in flavor or consistency, throw it out and make sure to get a fresh batch from the store.
I recently began making my own vanilla extract, both for flavor and because I wanted to know what all of the fuss about “real” vanilla was about. I took my time adding fresh vanilla beans whole into my container so that they could infuse their natural oils into the alcohol-based solution. The result was amazing, but there were a few things I learned:
A little bit goes a long way.
At first, I was seasoning my vanilla beans with a couple sticks of cinnamon. Now I realize that that it doesn’t take very much to flavor the extract. I have to admit that this is somewhat of a learning experience for me because I was never taught how much to use. It’s best to go by the “test it, then put in more” methodology or you’ll end up using too much.
I keep it simple.
When you purchase an extract, there are a couple cans available depending on your preference and what you want your finished vanilla product to look like: alcohol-based or oil-based. From experience, I have found that the oil-based extracts give a more “natural” flavor and are easier to use. There are also a few different products available for these extracts: simple syrup, vanilla flavoring, or both. Personally, my favorite combination is vanilla flavoring plus simple syrup.
I keep it fresh . . . at least for a little while.
I decided to make my own extract because I wanted that “real” taste of vanilla in my cooking. After reading all of the hype online, I knew it would be worth the time and effort. The problem was that I was using two cups of Mexican vanilla beans per 30 oz jar (1 lb.
If you love making Mexican or Madagascar vanilla extract, but have never before given it a second thought, we have some bad news for you. Most vanilla extracts do go bad and should be used up within six months to protect the quality of the extract. To make sure you don’t accidentally make your friends sick, watch what time of the year it is when you purchase your vanilla beans and use them carefully!
Why does Mexican or Madagascar vanilla extract go bad?
Most vanilla extracts will start going rancid after six months because of a chemical reaction between ethyl acetate and ethanol. In order to make vanilla extract, you cut vanilla beans lengthwise and place them in a glass container with an alcohol and water mixture. Ethyl acetate is the chemical responsible for giving the extract its flavor and aroma. Unfortunately, it also goes bad after six months, which means your delicious homemade extract may soon be unrecognizable.
How do I avoid my Mexican or Madagascar vanilla extract from going bad?
To preserve the quality of your extract, store it in a cool dark place away from sunlight. Also, don’t use your product if it has begun to turn yellow. If you must use your extract, put it in a container and place it in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then, put the container in the refrigerator to prevent the extract from going bad again.
if you store your vanilla beans properly, you shouldn’t have any problems with expired or spoiled vanilla extracts. However, sometimes weather fluctuations will cause your beans to do this. And if your friend is a teenager with no sense of time and who loves your homemade Mexican or Madagascar vanilla extract before midnight on New Year’s Eve….well that’s just too bad!
Your homemade Mexican or Madagascar extracts will turn yellow if they sit around out of the fridge for more than two weeks. The process of turning yellow is the same one that occurs in a banana, avocado, or egg. It is a normal process of degradation.
The extract will still be safe to use as long as it does not turn yellow and if it is stored in an airtight container. Put the vanilla extract back into the container you used to make it and place it into your refrigerator or freezer. Be sure to place some plastic wrap over the top of the sealed container so that no moisture can get inside and ruin any remaining extract.
As long as you are careful to keep your Mexican or Madagascar vanilla extract refrigerated after it’s been opened, you shouldn’t have any problems with spoilage. Not only does Mexican or Madagascar vanilla extract go bad, but it can also be used for bad purposes.
A couple of years ago there was a recall on vanilla extract because it was found to contain impurities. Be sure to purchase your vanilla at a reputable store that sells a high quality product and make your own Mexican or Madagascar vanilla extract as soon as you can!
For more information on how to make Mexican or Madagascar vanilla extract, go to Vanilla Queen’s website.
How long does pure Mexican vanilla last?
If you have ever wanted to make your own Mexican vanilla extract, we have some bad news for you. Although making Mexican vanilla extract is relatively easy, it is also difficult to ensure that your product will last. You and millions of other people love the flavor of vanilla and go to great lengths to add it to your favorite foods and beverages. The more you use, the worse it gets.
Mexican vanilla is the most used type of vanilla extract. Many people buy bottles of Mexican vanilla extract in order to make some of their own homemade products. As an alternative to buying a bottle of Mexican vanilla extract, some people make their own Mexican vanilla extract at home.
Vanilla is a tropical orchid and a member of the orchid family that grows in Mexico, Central and South America as well as Madagascar. Grown on small farms and in small-scale plantations, farmers carefully monitor the quality of each bean they grow. The beans are harvested when they are ripe, quickly dried and then processed into pure Mexican vanilla extract in the right way by using natural methods.
How do you know if Mexican vanilla is safe?
Mexican vanilla extract has a shelf life of four to five years. When you make your own Mexican vanilla extract from fresh vanilla beans, it will not last forever. Mexican vanilla extract can last for decades if you follow these three steps:
Store your Mexican vanilla in a cool dark place away from sunlight. Never store it in the fridge or freezer because the condensation will ruin it. Dry your vanilla beans quickly with a fan, hair dryer or in the oven on low. Heat and moisture are not good for your Mexican vanilla extract because they may cause mold and other problems.
If you ever notice that your Mexican vanilla extract has started to smell like alcohol, throw it out immediately! Any signs of alcohol is proof that your homemade product has gone bad and should be thrown out.
How long does pure Mexican vanilla last?
In Mexico, children have been taught the art of replanting the orchid’s seeds for centuries. For example, a farmer will plant about 1,000 orchid seeds in a nursery bed and allow the seeds to grow into seedlings (plants that are less than 20 inches tall). Then, they take the smaller plants and plant them into rows in their fields.
Does Mexican vanilla need to be refrigerated?
Mexican vanilla extract is not required to be refrigerated when it is manufactured. However, you can store it in the refrigerator if you desire. Even though Mexican vanilla does not need to be refrigerated, it should not be used for more than one year.
How do I store my Mexican vanilla extract?
Because alcohol evaporates and water becomes less soluble in alcohol over time, your homemade extract stores better in the refrigerator where there is a constant temperature. If you want your vanilla extract to last at least a year, then follow these steps:
Fill up glass jars with your Mexican vanilla beans and add high-proof alcohol (at least 40 percent) and distilled water (not tap water) to each jar. Screw on the lids and give each jar a shake. After 12 hours, remove the lids and add more high-proof alcohol and distilled water, if needed. Repeat this step every 12 hours until the beans are completely covered with a mixture of alcohol and water.
You can use any type of glass jar such as empty wine bottles or even broken glass jars to store your Mexican vanilla extract in. Just make sure that they are washed well before you fill them with your homemade Mexican vanilla extract. If you have extra beans left over from filling up the jars, place them in an airtight container away from light (because light can ruin your vanilla beans).
How can you tell if vanilla has gone bad?
If you ever notice that your Mexican vanilla extract has started to smell like alcohol, throw it out immediately! Any signs of alcohol is proof that your homemade product has gone bad and should be thrown out.
How often do you need to replace Mexican vanilla?
If you buy vanilla extract from a store and do not make it yourself, then replacing the vanilla every year is probably necessary. However, if you make your own Mexican or Madagascar vanilla extract at home, then replacing it every three years may be all that you need to do.
As you can see, there are many ways to make Mexican vanilla extract. You can also buy it from a store. It is easy to find in home improvement stores and on the Internet. Mexican vanilla extract is capable of making your food and drinks taste great. You just need to be careful while handling it. If you want to make Mexican vanilla extract, but you do not have enough money to buy all the ingredients, then you should consider buying a Mexican vanilla extract kit. They are very affordable and can be used to make your own homemade pure Mexican vanilla extract at home.
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