Vanilla Extract?

[csmcnamara]

My brother returned from Mexico and brought me a bottle of Vanilla. It doesn't say that it is vanilla extract. Does that mean that it is pure vanilla?? Can I use it as vanilla extract?? I am guessing that there is a difference!

[coop]

I have brought vanilla back from Mexico and use it just like vanilla extract. Works great!

[philamark]

A lot of good pure Vanilla Extracts sold in the US actually comes from Mexico, I believe.

[Mbart]

Wendy, do you make your own vanilla extract? I'd be interested in trying this...please fill me in on how it's done!

[AD]

You can do a search on the BB for past postings that deal with vanilla beans and vanilla extract. You can make your own too. To start, check out www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/005701.html (http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/005701.html)

[Mandy]

I just brought back some vanilla from Mexico for my mom, sister and I. We love it! We did the "smell test" against the regular grocery store vanilla and the difference is amazing. The Mexican vanilla smelled so much stronger. It's great stuff. Enjoy!

[SandyM]

I'm not certain, because I've never had vanilla brought in from Mexico - I usually use Madagascar vanilla from King Arthur Flour - but I've heard that their packaging isn't very good over there - that once the seal is opened, it doesn't seal properly again, and the shelf life is decreased.

I know someone who gets vanilla from Mexico and puts it in a clean empty glass bottle.

Again, this isn't based on fact, per se, but you may want to check out the bottle it comes in.

[Wendy w]

A friend of mine gave me some awhile back and it worked great! I am getting close to running out of it but fortunately, my homemade vanilla is at the point where it is usable!

[escondite]

My mother-in-law had gotten me vanilla years ago from Mexico and it was great. I recently was in California and made the trip to Tijuana to pick some more up. It's so much better than what you get at the grocery store. Enjoy.