What is the difference between regular Vanilla and French Vanilla?

Question

I mean have you ever gone to buy ice cream or a scented candle and there are Vanilla options... I like the smell of French Vanilla better and the taste of regular vanilla... but what makes them so different??

Answer 1

According to one chef. . .

"What is "french vanilla"? What is different about it from regular vanilla?"

Chef Ottevanger answered:

"The difference is lots more egg yolks."

This makes sense when one considers that French Vanilla is actually
"not a type of vanilla. It is a term used to describe an egg-custard base for ice cream." as stated in the answer given by ztorgo.

Another explanation is given as. . .

Flavor:

Vanilla flavor in creams, cakes and other foodstuff may be achieved by adding some vanilla essence or by cooking vanilla beans in the liquid preparation. A stronger aroma may be attained if the beans are split in two; in this case, the innards of the beans, consisting of flavory tiny black grains, are mixed into the preparation.

Good quality vanilla has a strong aromatic flavor, but foodstuffs with small amounts of low quality vanilla or artificial vanilla-like flavorings are far more common.

By analogy, the term is used, often as "plain vanilla", in computing for default set up of a system, with no extras or modifications. Since "plain vanilla" ice creams are often almost tasteless, the term "French vanilla" is often used to designate preparations that actually have a strong vanilla aroma, and possibly contain vanilla grains.

So, it is a matter of marketing to some extent, but there is a valid difference in content when it is applied to food preperation.

Answer 2

I've always wondered this as well. Apparently Starbucks seems to think that the difference between vanilla and French vanilla is hazelnut flavoring. Don't ask me why -- but if you ever go to Starbucks and order a vanilla latte, all it has in it is vanilla flavoring. But one day I went and thought to myself, "mmm... I bet a FRENCH vanilla latte would be even better!" so I ordered that. I watched them make it and they added hazelnut flavoring to the vanilla already in the latte and I guess that's what they consider French vanilla.
I've ordered French vanilla latte's at many different Starbucks and they've all done it this way so I don't think it's a coincidence.
Strange, eh ?

Answer 3

French vanilla makes it sound more attractive so you spend more money on it rather than just regular vanilla which is the same exact thing.

Answer 4

I'm pretty sure French Vanilla has eggs in it and regular doesn't.

Also the French Vanilla is a lot wimpier and surrenders quicker ;-)

Answer 5

french has a more sweeter taste and a better smell