I just started my latest batch with rum, so I’ll know better soon. It supposedly provides a smoother vanilla extract than vodka. Hearing people rave about the flavor, I had to try it too! I have to say that I understand why so many people love it! Perhaps, the name got people to try using bourbon in their extracts. Instead, it’s named after the variety of vanilla used (bourbon vanilla). With time, I saw recipes for bourbon vanilla extract made with bourbon whisky.Ĭommercial “bourbon vanilla extract” isn’t really normally made made with bourbon whisky, though. You can also customize your vanilla extract by choosing different alcohol bases for your vanilla infusion.Īt first, I always made my vanilla extract with vodka, which seems to be the most popular choice. They tend to be slightly thinner and subtle in flavor. Mexican vanilla beans also come from the vanilla planifolia plant and are very similar to the Madagascar vanilla.Tahitian vanilla beans, from the Tahitensis species (a cross between Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla odorata), have a more exotic, tropical flavor that is a bit unique.They provide a classic tasting vanilla flavor. Bourbon vanilla beans, or Madagascar vanilla beans, come from the Planifolia orchid.Vanilla beans can vary in flavor depending on where they are from. On the other hand, if you buy vanilla beans online in bulk, you can save a lot by making your own! To save even more, choose “extract grade” vanilla beans that tend to be smaller and drier but also much less expensive. If you choose vanilla beans from the supermarket that are sold individually, you may not save money by making your own extract. To be considered a true extract, the alcohol should be at least 35% strength (70 proof). Homemade vanilla extract only uses 2 ingredients, vanilla beans and alcohol. To avoid all that grossness, the first years I was living here, I brought vanilla extract in bulk back to Spain with me each time I went back to visit the US, but I finally decided it made more sense to make it myself. So, if you are a vegetarian or vegan, and are eating something with “natural vanilla flavoring”, you may unwittingly be consuming an animal product, and a not-so-appealing one at that! Because of the location of the castor sacs, at the base of the beaver’s tail, castoreum may also contain urine and anal gland secretions! Yum! Castoreum is a secretion from the castor sacs of beavers. Natural vanilla flavor can actually come from beavers in the form of castoreum. That statement sounds crazy, but it’s all too true! Not all vanilla flavorings are what they seem… Where does vanilla flavoring come from?ĭid you know that even “naturally” flavoured vanilla products might not actually be using vanilla? You can also ensure that you are using a true vanilla flavoring that comes from the vanilla bean. You can choose which ingredients you want to use to get the flavor you prefer. It’s not just about the money, though, it’s about the control.

Pure vanilla extract can be pricey, so, if you can get a good deal on vanilla beans, you can save yourself money. Even if you can easily find vanilla extract where you live, though, it could make sense to make your own. I choose to make my own vanilla extract because I couldn’t find it easily here. As for the vanilla flavoring? Those of you that have been following me for a while probably know that I’m not a big fan of chemically produced artificial products. While I do love vanilla beans, they aren’t always the most convenient thing to use for most recipes. Instead, they normally have vanilla beans or artificial vanilla flavoring. Most stores don’t sell pure vanilla extract. Here in Spain, though, vanilla isn’t as commonly used. Vanilla extract shows up in almost every baking recipe ever written. Anybody that has been baking American recipes for a while knows that many recipes call for vanilla extract! It’s not just for vanilla ice cream.

Does vanilla flavoring come from beaver