Tasting Expert Reveals Which Vanilla Extract is the Best

Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Julia to a tasting of vanilla.

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[kekzinj]

This is almost an SNL skit, she doesn’t stop eating the pudding hahah

[stardroplet]

I think when they did this taste test years ago, they found that imitation was good for items that were baked or cooked in high heat, but for things like whipping cream, pure was best. So I use pure for items not cooked, but I use a blend of both pure/imitation for cakes, cookies, etc.

[gabelastnamechannel]

It would be interesting to see the winner between pure vanilla extract from Madagascar, Mexico, and Tahiti.

[JamesAreySeattle]

Julia was in no hurry for Jack to finish speaking. She was enjoying the puddings.

[russbear]

I use homemade vanilla extract. I have a batch that I've kept going for about 12 years. When the bottle gets low, I add more vodka along with one or two extra beans that I've split and scrapped. Keep repeating forever. 😀

[singinglawnchair]

I mainly used your run of the mill Mccormick's vanilla extract until one day I bought the Simply Organic when they were out of the cheap stuff at the store. Have not gone back to the imitation since. It's about $10-15 a bottle but it is a definite game changer. It'll boost up any standard cookie, cake or brownie recipe into something that tastes like something fresh from a bakery. Worth the money!

[kimberlyolvera]

I use Molina Mexican vanilla blend. It's really quite good and you can find it in any supermarket in the Hispanic section. It is made with Mexico's finest pure vanilla.

[joantrotter]

Decades ago, a relative had a job at a school. Part of the time she cooked. When a recipe called for vanilla, she had to go get it from the office where it was under lock and key as it was a vanilla bean in a bottle of rum! She would put some in a Tupperware midget and put the rest back.

[tricat]

I used to live kitty corner from the watkins factory in Winona, Minnesota, and vanilla day was the absolute best. It smelled like cookies when you woke up in the morning.

[mark]

I must admit that I like Baker's vanilla extract. I didn't think I would when I first bought it, but the reason I did is because I could not bring myself to pay $20 for a small bottle of the real stuff. I mainly use it for cookies and cake frosting, so I am not looking for "floral notes". I just want to taste that delightful vanilla flavor and, yes, Baker's tastes great.

Of course, I am turned off by the thought of it being a petroleum product, but then I remember that I like it and that ends that.

[chocolatefrenzieya]

I am willing to pay for the real stuff, but it's nice to know the options.

[cecipalacios]

Vanilla originated in Mexico and first grown by Totonacs of Mexico's east coast.

[sokiecribbs]

Trader Joe’s makes an excellent vanilla extract too- it’s labeled as Pure Bourbon Vanilla Extract. It’s got a smooth flavor with an intense vanilla flavor and aroma at around $4.99 for 4 oz. plastic bottle. Their vanilla bean paste is excellent as well at around $4.99 for 2 oz.

[b.walker]

Julia, your dedication and hard work was evident in this segment. Thanks for going the extra, extra, and extra serving for us. 🤣 I was for decades a Nielsen Massey die hard junkie all the way. Their paste, the whole bean, the whole line. Then went to Simply Organic in haste of an empty bottle, and then one day I read the reviews from Watkins how people preferred their Imitation double double over real. I have never gone back. I find ANY in Watkins to fulfill my Vanilla needs. I can pick it up at the grocery store and very economical. I will say, I DO NOT like the plastic bottle nor the word propylene glycol printed on the label. PS. One benefit to plastic is you can make it a squeeze bottle. I take a sharp knife, insert it into the foil seal and make a slot shape. More precise measure always and I feel it lessens the aroma's escape. Better sealed.

[marysullivan]

Simply Organic is my choice for vanilla. Worth the price .

[mytoesarecold]

Was excited to hear what they were going to say about the Nielsen Massey vanilla, that was pictured at the beginning. They said nothing about it! It’s, by far, the best vanilla I’ve used in the kitchen.

[ginnyscott]

I started making my own during the vanilla crash. I have 4 batches going right now. A spicy rum, 2 different bonbons and a vodka. All are delicious.

[Passionforfoodrecipes]

Thanks for *extracting* this information for us!

[ophthodoc]

Best vanilla I’ve ever had the pleasure of using was Los Cinco Soles Mexican Vanilla. I love Mexican vanilla. Hard to find, so I use Costco brand. And I put it in my Nielsen Massey bottle so as to not have a huge bottle of vanilla in the spice cabinet.

[brucebeauvais]

I grew up with Watkins. In the days when the "Watkins man" made door-to-door sales stops. I still buy it at Menard's. Nice to see it's a blend and well-rated. Perhaps when it runs out I'll try another of the top 4.