Ingredient: Vanilla extract
Category: Flavourings
Season: All
Vanilla extract is a solution containing the flavour compound vanillin 1 (See notes).
Pure vanilla extract is made by extracting from vanilla beans in an alcoholic solution.
In order for a vanilla extract to be called pure, the FDA (in the USA) requires that the solution contain a minimum of 35% alcohol and 13.35 ounces of vanilla bean per gallon.
Double and triple strength vanilla extracts are available.
Natural vanilla flavouring contains real vanilla bean but no actual alcohol.
Imitation vanilla extract is usually made by soaking alcohol in wood, which contains vanillin.
DO NOT confuse Vanilla Extract with Vanilla Essence they are not the same thing.
It's very useful for sauces, custards and a million-and-one sweet dishes or wherever a touch of vanilla flavour is required
Notes
1 Compound vanillin is the primary component of the extract of the vanilla bean. (Vanillin, methyl vanillin, or 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, is an organic compound with the molecular formula C 8H 8O 3. Its functional groups include aldehyde, ether, and phenol).
Synthetic vanillin is used as a flavouring agent in foods , beverages, and pharmaceuticals. |