Expert's Guide to Vanilla: Extract, Paste, Powder, and Whole Beans

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America's Test Kitchen

America's Test Kitchen

Күн бұрын

We call for vanilla widely in desserts, quick breads, and breakfast recipes, both for its flavor and for its ability to act as a flavor potentiator, enhancing our perception of chocolate, coffee, fruit, nuts, and sweetness. Jack shows you how and when to use each version of the world’s most popular spice.
Vanilla Extract Review: bit.ly/3mUGzgz
Vanilla Paste Review: bit.ly/3LeYSqc
Vanilla 101 Review: bit.ly/40vdSEG
ABOUT US: Located in Boston’s Seaport District in the historic Innovation and Design Building, America's Test Kitchen features 15,000 square feet of kitchen space including multiple photography and video studios. It is the home of Cook’s Illustrated magazine and Cook’s Country magazine and is the workday destination for more than 60 test cooks, editors, and cookware specialists. Our mission is to test recipes over and over again until we understand how and why they work and until we arrive at the best version.
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Пікірлер: 133
@sarahb2623
@sarahb2623 Жыл бұрын
I love Jack Bishop. Thorough, accurate, professional, humorous, and always pleasant to watch! Kudos. 🎉
@leewillers4621
@leewillers4621 Жыл бұрын
My grandmother said she used vanilla as a “perfume” when she was a young lady. Real colognes and perfume was too expensive/hard to come by. (I’m 73 now and this was when I was 9-10 years old.) 😊
@popcornxxx
@popcornxxx Жыл бұрын
I infuse the beans in oil and use it as a fragrance. It mixes well with sweet orange essential oil.
@anonymoususer5266
@anonymoususer5266 10 ай бұрын
@@popcornxxxwhat kind of oil? You just throw vanilla beans split down the middle into it and let it sit? For how long? Sorry, super interested in this
@mariaconsuelothomen
@mariaconsuelothomen Жыл бұрын
Thank you for saying imitation vanilla is OK.That's what is most readily available and most pocket-friendly. It's also what's available in my country.
@mermeridian2041
@mermeridian2041 Жыл бұрын
I love Jack's episodes - could listen to him all day. If he released an audible of the dictionary, I would gladly listen to it!
@ceegee1070
@ceegee1070 Жыл бұрын
Humorous yet 100% TRUE!
@ellove370
@ellove370 11 ай бұрын
@mermeridian2041 Me too!💕
@JohnPMiller
@JohnPMiller Жыл бұрын
You can make your own vanilla extract with alcohol and vanilla beans. In France, most people use vanilla powder (sucre vanillé), so I bought a few beans and made my own extract. It took about two months, but it's very good.
@annabizaro-doo-dah
@annabizaro-doo-dah Жыл бұрын
Was going to say it's a great way to use vanilla pods when you've removed the seeds from them or if they've dried out.
@morrismonet3554
@morrismonet3554 Жыл бұрын
I'm Ok with imitation. My aunt taught me to put a few drops in the eggs when making French toast. It's great.
@frozenhouse5362
@frozenhouse5362 Жыл бұрын
I have just gotten one step closer to being the smartest man on Earth,Thanks for the video
@janinawaz4596
@janinawaz4596 Жыл бұрын
After using fresh moist vanilla beans, finely chopped, in my baked goods, custards, ice cream etc. I find it hard to use even the best extract. Extract, even homemade, doesn't have the same dark and complex depth of flavor that a whole bean does. I will use extract in something quick like french toast, where the vanilla bean flavor doesn't have a long contact time before being eaten. Artificial vanilla (vanillin) is often made from clove buds as a source material.
@DP-dr6gi
@DP-dr6gi Жыл бұрын
I have baked a few things in the decades I’ve been baking. 😊. For the past year I have used imitation vanilla exclusively. I do not make custards or ice cream (if I did I would use real vanilla or vanilla bean). But I make cookies, muffins and cakes and I cannot tell the difference in the vanilla taste.
@mikeyd946
@mikeyd946 Жыл бұрын
Never heard of powder or ground vanilla until today!
@ellaliddle1591
@ellaliddle1591 7 ай бұрын
Me either, that’s why I checked out this video
@eclecticexplorer7828
@eclecticexplorer7828 Жыл бұрын
It's hard to check if the vanilla beans are too dry when they are in a sealed bottle.
@Uprightfossil
@Uprightfossil 3 ай бұрын
I buy in bulk from a company called Beanilla. Or Google vanilla. Amazon offers bulk companies too
@roseannnichol2913
@roseannnichol2913 Жыл бұрын
I was going round and round doing research trying to understand what would be the best vanilla product to use. I've been very confused. This video has made up my mind imitation vanilla taste the same and nobody can tell the difference except in custard and ice cream, then it's a done deal, imitation vanilla it is. Thank you for your Insight.
@QIKWIA
@QIKWIA Жыл бұрын
I use both..for different purposes and applications.. I like the imitation flavor in icings, frostings, pie fillings, puddings and cookies.
@marksieber4626
@marksieber4626 Жыл бұрын
I’d like to see ATK do a home made extract video making several types of extract. And test theirs against store bought extract.
@thundercaaat
@thundercaaat Жыл бұрын
Now *this* is a great idea!
@scpatl4now
@scpatl4now 10 ай бұрын
I make my own regularly. It takes time (like at least 4 months), and you have to find a good source for grade A beans, but it really is easy to do. It is way better as well. I usually have to cut the amount I use because it is stronger.
@kimecker
@kimecker Жыл бұрын
So informative! I’m going with imitation from now on.
@pauleichenberger4966
@pauleichenberger4966 Жыл бұрын
Nice introduction to vanilla. Also, these should not be stored in the refrigerator, just in a kitchen cabinet, dark. I have used Penzeys for years, and N-M is good too.
@Jessie-J
@Jessie-J Жыл бұрын
Thank you ATK for yet another excellent video. I wonder if ATK could do a how-to on organising one’s kitchen, my kitchen is a disaster and I could really use some tips from the folks I trust.
@annabizaro-doo-dah
@annabizaro-doo-dah Жыл бұрын
Can you imagine if he was your uncle??! Oh my I'd be picking his brains all day long!
@mikenyc1589
@mikenyc1589 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for showing us the varieties out there...I always worry about the liquid extract in the fridge thats in there a long time....the paste will be a great alternative and last forever!!!
@debbiebarnes4688
@debbiebarnes4688 Жыл бұрын
Vanilla bean paste is my go to for homemade ice cream. Yummmm.
@Mark_Nadams
@Mark_Nadams Жыл бұрын
We made our own vanilla extract when we couldn't find any on the shelves. I bought a few beans, stripped and cut them into 4 pint bottles, and filled the bottles with vodka. Six months later the extract we have is as good if not better than what we normally buy at the store. We just finished the first bottle and I need to get the next out of storage.
@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654
@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654 Жыл бұрын
Thank you, Jack! I can always depend on you for great information I didn’t know that about having to need a flyable vanilla bean
@mickjr270
@mickjr270 Жыл бұрын
I have been making my own and like the flavor.
@kilembevanillaexportersltd4430
@kilembevanillaexportersltd4430 2 ай бұрын
vanilla can be so amazing
@Anguisette
@Anguisette Жыл бұрын
The thumbnail showed the Baker's Imitation Vanilla, it was supposedly discontinued, but it's back now, apparently a new formula, would be great if ATK would see if the new formula is as good as the old one.
@jessicaharris1608
@jessicaharris1608 11 ай бұрын
I'd like to learn ATK's thoughts on "double-fold" vanilla. I've started to make my own vanilla with grade B Madagascar beans and vodka. Apparently, if I use twice as many beans, I can get stronger vanilla flavor. I have saved my double fold vanilla for very special dishes like flan and vanilla frosting but otherwise I stick with normal strength bean/alcohol ratios. I still use the imitation for flavoring my coffee though. My grandmother had a rule that you could get away with using fake vanilla in recipes that called for brown sugar or chocolate. I have added coffee to her list of exceptions.
@jimmeyers8960
@jimmeyers8960 Жыл бұрын
I had no idea powdered vanilla was a thing, or that it could be part of a rub. Interesting. :)
@christinacody8653
@christinacody8653 Жыл бұрын
Oh that's so tempting!!
@heyfunny3036
@heyfunny3036 Жыл бұрын
It's SO good in a nice hot coffee. Super yum
@lanettelawrence6308
@lanettelawrence6308 Жыл бұрын
Great info on vanilla family goods.
@igormarchenko6036
@igormarchenko6036 Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for your video. I prepared an extract, insisted for 2 months. The smell is great, it smells all over the house. But after I poured the extract into small bottles, after a month, it noticeably lost its taste and aroma. Any advice on how to pour the extract without losing it in the smell? And how do you properly pour the extract?
@clairressagoad2789
@clairressagoad2789 Жыл бұрын
This was so informative. I had no idea about some of these. Thank you…
@DownSouthAgro-ym8wp
@DownSouthAgro-ym8wp 9 ай бұрын
Great info keep it up kindly also give some tips how to make step by step Vanilla essence with alcohol from beans ….
@carmensilva4729
@carmensilva4729 Жыл бұрын
Awesome! Bravo! Love this info and tips! 👏🏻🎈
@2Hearts3
@2Hearts3 Жыл бұрын
Thanks, Jack-- very helpful. 👍
@cara1957
@cara1957 Жыл бұрын
I'm gonna try vanilla paste!! Thanks Jack!!
@vjohnson2400
@vjohnson2400 Жыл бұрын
Another very informative video, thank you Jack.
@Boredtx96
@Boredtx96 2 ай бұрын
I’m trying to make homemade vanilla almond milk which of these versions of vanilla would be the best option?
@bettymahoney8371
@bettymahoney8371 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing very informative 😊
@marymeola2810
@marymeola2810 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for this wonderful tutorial.
@davidmccarthy6061
@davidmccarthy6061 Жыл бұрын
Been using N-M paste which is very good but there's always that bit of waste so we'll try their extract next since we never do anything fancy where the specks help.
@suyapajimenez516
@suyapajimenez516 Жыл бұрын
This subject was about time. Thanks
@mariefearon627
@mariefearon627 6 ай бұрын
Very helpful thanks
@Er-sv5tn
@Er-sv5tn Жыл бұрын
I have both the expensive extract and the generic imitation vanilla I can only tell the difference in things like custard and ice cream…in some thing that’s been baked it’s indistinguishable
@christinacody8653
@christinacody8653 Жыл бұрын
That's what I learned when I did my own experiments. I made cookies and vanilla shakes. I was clear that baking imitation is fine. For uncooked stuff, use the good stuff.
@Er-sv5tn
@Er-sv5tn Жыл бұрын
@@christinacody8653 Saves $ for me. I do a 100x more baking than I do making ice cream.
@marto0o97
@marto0o97 Жыл бұрын
It's true!!! There was a cooking channel on KZbin (minute foods) that proved that most of the other compounds evaporate or transform under the intense heat of the oven, so you're pretty much left with vanillin in the end 😁
@RomanNumeral04
@RomanNumeral04 Жыл бұрын
@@marto0o97 was about to comment the same thing
@annabizaro-doo-dah
@annabizaro-doo-dah Жыл бұрын
I agree. The expensive stuff is rather wasted in most baked goods - with the exception of a baked cheese cake, custard tart etc
@meltz87
@meltz87 Жыл бұрын
Please do red wine vinegar
@rainthomps694
@rainthomps694 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for this!!
@gizmo7877
@gizmo7877 Жыл бұрын
Great info! Wondering if you’ve ever heard of Vanilla Essence from the island of St Lucia. OMG! What a flavor! It’s wonderful! I l prefer it to regular vanilla overall.
@mikeb6389
@mikeb6389 Жыл бұрын
Good to know.
@mddell58
@mddell58 Жыл бұрын
❓ I'd love to know how making your own vanilla (vanilla & vodka,) being placed in a dark place for at least six months stacks up compared to the different types you spoke about.... ❓
@gennybernard5877
@gennybernard5877 Жыл бұрын
Thank you, Jack!
@danbev8542
@danbev8542 10 ай бұрын
I, too, buy vanilla beans & soak them in vodka. I also soak some in bourbon for when I want that flavor. I have a quart container full of beans and vodka. The beans don’t dry out if you store them in your jar of homemade extract. In most recipes, I double or triple the vanilla when it’s the main flavor.
@cogniterra
@cogniterra 11 ай бұрын
QUESTION: I have a large ancestral recipe for choc syrup from around 1900 that calls for, among other things, 1/2 lb of cocoa and "2 Tbs of vanilla compound". Any cooks out there know what vanilla compound at that time would be akin to now?
@MossyMozart
@MossyMozart 5 ай бұрын
Nielsen-Massey vanilla paste may be shelf stable, but it won't stay in my pantry more than a day. A delicious little taste here, a delicious little taste there - - - it was gone by evening. It never even made it into any baked goods. ---------- I love Nielsen-Massey vanillas. Madagascar and Tahitian are great, but my favorite is their Mexican vanilla. Mmmmm.
@necrojoe
@necrojoe Жыл бұрын
Does the ground vanilla go bad/dead quickly once opened? It seems like it would. I'd love to try it, but don't think I'd use enough of it quickly enough to be worth it.
@sydneybird116
@sydneybird116 19 күн бұрын
The jar of Beyond Good that I just bought yesterday from Whole Foods was already dead. No smell or flavor in my cheesecake or ice cream. Don't bother.
@amyberberich78
@amyberberich78 Жыл бұрын
I see Jack; I upvote.
@shawnianzano5168
@shawnianzano5168 5 күн бұрын
Is there any vanilla bean paste that doesn't have sugar as the first ingredient? NM tastes mostly SO sweet with the vanilla as an aftertaste. Is it even worth the price difference??
@RomanNumeral04
@RomanNumeral04 Жыл бұрын
There needs to be a clarification with imitation vanilla powder. Every imitation vanilla powder that I have seen consists of a few percent vanillin (1 ~ 5%) and the rest is corn starch. So how much of what percentage vanillin is equivalent to vanilla extract?
@jeffward1106
@jeffward1106 Жыл бұрын
Very informative 😁
@bra-o-bra
@bra-o-bra 6 ай бұрын
Im surprised to hear that the paste is 1:1 with the extract. Another source said that the paste is more intense and would need half the volume of the extract. The other source made her own paste using food-grade glycerine and vanilla beans, perhaps the paste in the video has other additives? Any thoughts?
@MarthavMartinez
@MarthavMartinez Жыл бұрын
Thanks.
@lagreen2122
@lagreen2122 Жыл бұрын
If you choose your subjects and don't do what advertisers ask for I would really like to hear some things about cooking oils. Which works best and gives best flavor for what foods, which has the least taste to add to foods, the least calories, which costs less. That kind of thing would be very helpful and save all of us the expense of our own experiments. You could do one on spice brands too - course I realize that might peeve potential advertisers.
@kristinahansen2252
@kristinahansen2252 Жыл бұрын
Watkins pure vanilla extract is the best to me
@robvas
@robvas Жыл бұрын
What about the stuff you can buy at the gift shop when you're on vacation in Mexico? I always thought it tasted a little weird.
@scpatl4now
@scpatl4now 10 ай бұрын
You have to really be careful with that stuff. I was reading recently that some of those contained dangerous chemicals.
@catherinelw9365
@catherinelw9365 Жыл бұрын
I can always tell if it's artificial vanilla in anything, so I always use the real stuff. It's worth it.
@basilwhite
@basilwhite Жыл бұрын
What about emulsion?
@jrubybowman
@jrubybowman 8 ай бұрын
I've used $24 vanilla and Dollare Tree vanilla and have never tasted a difference.
@mayonnaiseeee
@mayonnaiseeee Жыл бұрын
Amazing overview of vanilla, thank you. I'd probably do Ina Garten's simple homemade vanilla extract if I decide to buy some beans, otherwise stick with the imitation stuff. Vanilla powder seems pretty interesting though - is that what they mix into vanilla bean frappuccinos and such?
@BootuInc
@BootuInc Жыл бұрын
I think it's great that even though Jack has been dead for 12 years they still let him continue to fulfill his role in the test kitchen
@popcornxxx
@popcornxxx Жыл бұрын
Jack Bishop is alive & well.
@JoeStuffzAlt
@JoeStuffzAlt Жыл бұрын
I use 50/50 imitation vanilla and powder for baked goods now. It adds layer of flavor. I would say that I did find a difference between a quality imitation vanilla extract and the Target generic. The Target generic has this really weird flavor and smell. It's probably the propylene glycol The McCormick commercial Imitation Vanilla is much nicer.
@rcmaniac25
@rcmaniac25 Жыл бұрын
While I always prefer real over imitation, I learned recently that heat destroys most of the chemicals that make vanilla, vanilla. So for baked applications, imitation is fine because the vanillin doesn't get destroyed by heat. But for uncooked applications? Use the real stuff, your taste buds will thank you.
@kimt3463
@kimt3463 Жыл бұрын
Vanilla concentrate?
@jamievarni1530
@jamievarni1530 9 ай бұрын
Where do the best beans come from?
@bschmidtyt
@bschmidtyt 3 ай бұрын
Tahiti and Indonesia
@rank1839
@rank1839 Жыл бұрын
I heard Tahitian is good.
@lemmykilmister873
@lemmykilmister873 Жыл бұрын
🤔
@hckfan
@hckfan Жыл бұрын
I thought the Bakers’s brand won the last imitation contest.
@4-7th_CAV
@4-7th_CAV Жыл бұрын
That is EXACTLY what I was just thinking! And, the Baker's brand is actually made by McCormick, which is what they touted the last time.
@wheniamhome
@wheniamhome Жыл бұрын
What does one to one mean?
@wheniamhome
@wheniamhome Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your kind answer.
@Leelee-rx5oy
@Leelee-rx5oy Жыл бұрын
One to one means, as example, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to 1 teaspoon vanilla essence. So if recipe calls for 2 tsps extract & you only have imitation, then you would use 2 tsps of the imitation.
@gingerhammock8400
@gingerhammock8400 Жыл бұрын
I am a vanilla extract snob 😂. I make my own and wouldn't go back to store bought, much less imitation. But your video was interesting and informative.
@kilembevanillaexportersltd4430
@kilembevanillaexportersltd4430 2 ай бұрын
vanilla usage can be amazing
@melissawolf215
@melissawolf215 Жыл бұрын
I disagree about vanilla extract if you make your own. I soak 10 vanilla beans in vodka - which has no flavor - and in a few weeks I have THE best extract ever. What’s more I can keep topping it off with vodka when it runs a bit low for the rest of my life. People ask me why my baked goods are so good and that’s my secret. It’s so simple and unlike vanilla extracts it’s pure alcohol and vanilla. No water or anything else. I wouldn’t use anything else unless it’s a straight up vanilla bean. The best benefit is that you save a ton of money. That money you would have paid for substandard extract can go towards vodka - not the super good expensive vodka.
@coflropter
@coflropter Жыл бұрын
I made a batch with some cheap bourbon and the flavor is incredible!
@alsheremeta
@alsheremeta Жыл бұрын
If you are using typical 40% vodka, it is 60% water.... But in any case you have found a great solution to making fantastic baked goods! 👍👍
@5boysandamom
@5boysandamom Жыл бұрын
And you can get very reasonable priced beans from a co-op called vanilla bean kings. It's so much fun to make your own. And it makes nice Christmas gifts!
@moduqueRN
@moduqueRN Жыл бұрын
How can I use a dried up vanilla bean?
@beckijameson3844
@beckijameson3844 Жыл бұрын
Further dehydrate it, then powder it.
@moduqueRN
@moduqueRN Жыл бұрын
@@beckijameson3844 thanks!
@terin1862
@terin1862 Жыл бұрын
Put in in a sealed container of sugar...it will gently flavor the sugar over time.
@moduqueRN
@moduqueRN Жыл бұрын
@@terin1862 great idea, thank you!
@lucyc
@lucyc Жыл бұрын
​@@terin1862 Do you put the bean in whole, or cut it open first?
@bl_leafkid4322
@bl_leafkid4322 Жыл бұрын
I don't think I will ever buy real vanilla extract now. The artificial vanilla extract in my house is 8oz
@oceanwonders
@oceanwonders Жыл бұрын
One bean is a TABLESPOON of extract?! Holy The last one is misleading; it should really be called vanilla sugar.
@Charismafire
@Charismafire Жыл бұрын
I like to just pour a little in a glass of milk
@wotan10950
@wotan10950 Жыл бұрын
Because of the high price, I’ve been using bourbon instead!
@tarjei99
@tarjei99 Жыл бұрын
Shouldn't you have mentioned that if the vanilla is cooked, then you can safely use industrial vanillin.
@DoughboyGod
@DoughboyGod Жыл бұрын
❤️❤️❤️🔥😍🎬😍🔥❤️❤️❤️
@gizmocarr3093
@gizmocarr3093 Жыл бұрын
I know why Grandma was always happy making cookies. She might have been hitting the bottle, 35% alcohol is a good reason for making cookies.😅🤣😂
@alicebonnet4607
@alicebonnet4607 Жыл бұрын
You drink Bud Light.
@SBinVancouver
@SBinVancouver Жыл бұрын
Vanilla paste does not last indefinitely. Over time it becomes gummy and difficult to extract from the jar. We're talking years... but not indefinitely.
@fityug7906
@fityug7906 7 ай бұрын
Please help us with the market Anyone who has can just help me
@MegaDeepRoots
@MegaDeepRoots 10 ай бұрын
People are choosing the imitation vanilla flavoring because it has MSG in it. Natural Flavoring(s) = MSG. MSG is no bueno for Homo Sapien Sapien. Word to the wise!
@pudicus2
@pudicus2 Жыл бұрын
Vanilla in bbq? Sounds weird
@krism4139
@krism4139 Жыл бұрын
Imitation vanilla ingredients - propylene glycol, phosphoric acid and synthetic vanillin. No thank you. I make my own with vanilla beans and a bottle of cheap vodka.
@Niyaru
@Niyaru 9 ай бұрын
guaiacol, p-anisaldehyde and methyl cinnamate, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, furfural, hexanoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, eugenol, and isobutyric acid are found in real vanilla. If you prefer real vanilla that’s fine but don’t Chemical shame an imitation when chemistry is everywhere
@Black_Samurai-fish
@Black_Samurai-fish 9 ай бұрын
@@Niyarumost people don’t think natural is also chemical lol.
@Jose_Sanchi
@Jose_Sanchi 8 ай бұрын
What do you think makes up vanilla beans,Vodka? Chemicals. 😮
@veronicablack3976
@veronicablack3976 7 ай бұрын
Thank you! I agree 100%@@Niyaru
@artigotale
@artigotale 3 ай бұрын
Chemical or not…I’ll choose the natural source…
@Cujucuyo
@Cujucuyo Жыл бұрын
$20 for an ounce of ground vanilla, oof.
@Black_Samurai-fish
@Black_Samurai-fish 9 ай бұрын
Use real vanilla for non baked goods and imitation for baked goods.
@brs293
@brs293 10 ай бұрын
Add eggnog to the list than needs real vanilla. Imitation doesn't taste as good.
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