What makes vanilla extract from Mexico better than so many American brands?

Question

I know that many brands of vanilla extract sold in the US are mostly alcohol, but there are also some really nice varieties sold at gourmet shops. If you've baked with different types of vanilla extract, including the relatively inexpensive kinds sold in Mexico in medium-sized plastic bottles, please share your observations and analysis.

Answer 1

According to Alton Brown on Good Eats, the cheap vanilla you can pick up in Mexico is often diluted with another extract that is bad for your liver.

However, the vanilla beans grown in Mexico are some of the most flavorful, so if you can get good Mexican vanilla, give it a try. Madagascar Bourbon vanilla is also good. You can get both of them online through Penzey's Spices. I've bought both Mexican and Madagascar vanilla, and I like both. (By the way, "bourbon" doesn't refer to the alcohol, it's the name of the region the beans are grown in.)

All vanilla extracts are mostly alcohol - in fact, you can make your own by putting whole vanilla beans in a bottle of booze - your choice, but keep in mind how you'll be using it because the flavor of the alcohol will change the flavor of the extract. For the cleanest, most 'vanilla-y' flavor, use vodka.

Answer 2

I would go to Tijuana sometimes just to buy my Mom some of the real vanilla for like 50 cents, but if you buy that same stuff here it is about 15.00, or maybe i am exaggerating, but it is expensive here. My Mom claims that it tastes better than the imitation stuff and I think so to. As far as the stuff at gourmet shops, I have no idea, I thought the real vanilla was just that, vanilla, I didn't realize there was alcohol in it. If I had the bottle in my hand that I bought my Mom, I would look at it, but I have moved to TN, and she is still in Cali, sorry I couldn't be of more help. My mom only uses a quarter of the amount called for in recipes when she uses the Mexican stuff because it is stronger than the imitation. That is all I know, I haven't used it is so long, but oh, my husband makes the best pancakes ever and I caught him in the kitchen using his secret ingredient, vanilla, don't know if this is a normal thing or not, but I never used it before, no wonder they are so good. Yummy, I want pancakes now, my husband needs to come home from Iraq to make me some.

Answer 3

I've wondered that , myself. It seems Vanilla is sold on every corner and by every vendor in the border town tourist markets.

Answer 4

It has to be laced with something...