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Taste Test: Is Better Vanilla Extract Worth the Price? - http://sweets.seriouseats.com/2013...
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"Real vanilla extract doesn't come cheap. Depending on where you buy it, it can range from a little under a buck an ounce all the way up to several dollars. Add real vanilla beans into the mix and prices can climb even higher. But does more expensive vanilla make for better flavor? Tastier cookies and better vanilla ice cream? Where does artificial vanilla extract figure into it? We decided to find out." - Derrick
I saved myself a bit of scratch armed with this knowledge at the market this morning. - Derrick
They're right, the heat of cooking plus the alcohol evaporation degrade the flavor of pure vanilla - WarLord
Thank you for the advice. I have the Trader Joe's pure bourbon vanilla extract. It should last for a while, but now I know how best to replace it. - Julian
I bought the house brand since it was on sale and got a lot more vanilla for my buck, although I usually just make mine from vanilla beans and booze. - Derrick
i'm pretty sure america's test kitchen came up with the same result. I just buy the big bottle from costco - Christina Pikas
As I keep thinking about it, I keep getting confused. The Pure Vanilla from McCormick is the one to get? - Julian
I think that would be fine, J. They say it's okay to use the imitation, but that's a line I just can't cross. - Derrick
I use the McCormick pure vanilla, but I take it out of my mom's stash so there's that. - Moniqua
I make my own, too. I read this article a few days ago but it didn't convince me to bake with the imitation vanilla. - Trish R
Trish, what do you use for your booze element? I've used bourbon in the past, but I know others use vodka. Do you like one more than the other? - Derrick
I use vodka. I've read about recipes with bourbon but never tried it. - Trish R
Ive used the fake stuff when making huge batches of cookies to take to events where people are just happy to have cookies, but I use the real stuff most of the rest of the time or anytime I'm making something where the vanilla flavor is important. I've thought about making my own, though. - Katy S
I'm curious now about the taste of vanilla made with bourbon. I'm assuming it's similar in flavor? - Trish R
I think so. Vodka is fairly neutral, but I like the taste of bourbon anyway, so topped off a mason jar with some Maker's and every time I noticed it was low, would add to it (after the initial 4-6 week steeping). - Derrick
I remember it the way Christina does. I don't believe them, so I still buy vanilla from Penzey's. Maybe next time I'll do it Derrick's way. - Stephan!e•CogSc!L!brar!an
At least around here, Trader Joe's is *considerably* under $1/ounce, and I'd bet Kirkland (Costco) is even cheaper--and most Kirkland products are pretty good. (We're not members.) Somehow, I can't see us buying imitation vanilla. - walt crawford
Unless you bake an awful lot, the real stuff lasts a very long time. Might as well use it. - m9m, Crone of FriendFeed
That's why i started making my own. I was burning through a LOT of vanilla. :( - Derrick
What's your recipe, D-Love? And yours, Trish? - LB ❤s FF
I've got the Trader Joe's bourbon vanilla, and it's the best price non-imitation I've found around here. It's also my favorite so far. - Holly's favorite Anna
LB, I take a couple of vanilla beans, split them, scrape them and put all of it in a mason jar and top it off with bourbon. Any time after that, when I used a vanilla bean, I'd put the empty bean to the jar, and when it got low, I topped it off with more bourbon. After you do the first bit, let it sit in the pantry for a month and shake it up every other week? You can tell by the smell, which is WONDERFUL. It's pretty easy to do. Nice gifts if you do a fancy bottle with a nice ribbon or whatnot. - Derrick
I use the McCormick imitation stuff, which I buy by the quart. - April Russo (FForever!)