Vanilla flavoring versus Vanilla extract.......any major differences?

Question

i noticed vanilla extract is a bit mor expensive...

i only use it for my smoothies, so i guess the flavoring is ok for now :)

Answer 1

There's 2 -

1) taste and what you're used to
2) vanilla extract is made with small amounts of ethyl alchohol

People who prefer not to use an alcohol-based extract can substitute natural vanilla flavor found in natural and specialty food stores and some supermarkets. It usually is made with a glycerin or a propylene glycol base. Although the flavor comes from vanilla beans, it doesn't fit the FDA profile for extracts, so it must legally be called natural vanilla flavor.

I myself use vanilla extract.

Answer 2

Depends on how much of a foodie you are. Vanilla extract is acutally made from vanilla beans. Vanilla flavoring is just that, a flavoring. I prefer the real stuff, and can taste the difference. If you're looking to save some $$, buy the flavor.

Answer 3

Vanilla extract is much better, it gives a more natural flavor then flavoring. It's more expensive but the taste is keener and if you buy the good stuff with the vanilla beans in it you can make new when you are done with the old!

Answer 4

Not having vanilla in your chocolate chip cookies will make a difference. In addition to being a very specific flavor, vanilla actually enhances sweetness and brings out certain qualities of the chocolate flavor. Many vanilla flavorings that are alcohol free are actually vanillin - which is one of the flavor esters of vanilla but is not really vanilla - it tends to be a bit bitter. You can find vanilla bean paste in some areas which contains no alcohol (they sell it at Trader Joe's) or you could take a vanilla bean and bury it in a two pound container of sugar for at least a week. The sugar will actually take on the vanilla flavor and you can use it in recipes that call for vanilla. Incidentally, the alcohol in vanilla flavoring will completely cook off - there is no danger of actually consuming any alcohol in a product that is cooked for any length of time. Good luck!

Answer 5

Real Vanilla extract is MUCH better. It is more expensive, but the flavor is a lot better. Also, you do not have to use as much. The flavor is much richer and it even smells better.

Answer 6

I use vanilla extract only . It is a lot more expensive but woth it .
I like natural and healthy food in my body .
No one knows the long term effects of artificial foods.
They are finding out Trans fats are causing major heart problems because the body doesn`t know what to do with it ,so it stores it up in the arteries.

Answer 7

Vanilla flavoring is not made from the vanilla bean. The extract is made from the bean. The flavoring is also call vanillin. It's made from some tree bark.

Answer 8

Vanilla extract is more expensive because it is alcohol based where as vanilla flavoring is not.

Answer 9

I have noticed that too (how exp. vanilla extract is) . But found cheap places to get it (Aldi, SuperTarget and Walmart). Stay out of the grocery stores - way too pricey.

I have noticed that in the end, vanilla flavoring is just fine.

Answer 10

Vanilla extract is more expensive because it's more potent and concentrated. A little goes a long ways.