Vanilla essence?
My roommate just returned from Dominica and gifted me with a bottle of vanilla essence. It doesn't smell the same as vanilla extract and google isn't giving me any clear answers as to whether it is different from vanilla extract, and if it is, how it should be used.
Can anyone clarify what the essence really is and how I should use it? Thanks so much!
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5 Comments:
I guess it depends on what the naming custom is in that country. In the UK, it's imitation vanilla extract, but in other areas, it's a stronger vanilla extract. Some references said that it didn't have alcohol, but there was no mention of what it might have instead. I could also just be vanilla extract. Not sure which type of vanilla bean you'd find in Dominica, but the different varieties do have different flavors, so that might be what you're detecting.
Is there a list of ingredients on the bottle?
I'd suggest using it like regular vanilla, but maybe use half as much and then taste it and add more if you need it.
I tend to be a little overboard on vanilla, so twice as strong wouldn't bother me one little bit.
dbcurrie at 2:13AM on 03/17/09
I remember Alton Brown encountering all sorts of "essence" on Feasting on Waves. I don't remember much about it though.
gingercookiewithlime at 7:13AM on 03/17/09
Are you sure it's for consumption purposes? Perhaps it is more to be used as an environmental oil or something? I would definitely check the label carefully to be sure it's meant to be added to food at all.
juliebugsmama at 12:42PM on 03/17/09
I would not use it period. Even in Mexico vanilla is a tricky enterprise.
Cumarin and tonka beans. You would want to see this on the bottle:
Extracto de Vainilla
http://www.colonialzone-dr.com/images/vanilla.jpg
Essense=fake.
JerzeeTomato at 1:05PM on 03/17/09
Hmm... okay. The ingredients say water, vanilla extract. It definitely smelled a little funky to me but then again I've never smelled vanilla essence (if it in fact is, different from extract).
luxie at 7:50PM on 03/17/09