However, in home kitchens, the mixture must sit for up to 12 months before it’s ready to use ( 5).Īfter the extraction is complete, the bean pods are filtered out and the extract is ready to use What is vanilla essence? This can be a time-consuming process.įood manufacturers can manipulate environmental conditions to speed the extraction process.
The alcohol draws out the vanillin and other compounds, which infuse into the liquid. Once cured, the pods are added to a mixture of water and ethyl alcohol. Pure vanilla extract is made from mature vanilla bean pods that have been aged for 3–4 months, allowing them to develop characteristic vanilla flavors, including increased levels of vanillin ( 5). In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that the final product must contain at least 35% alcohol and 13.35 ounces (380 grams) of vanilla beans per gallon (3.8 liters) ( 3, 4).Īs long as it meets these standards, vanilla extract may also contain small amounts of sweeteners, including sugar, corn syrup, or dextrose ( 3). Standards for pure vanilla extract vary by country. The extract gets its signature vanilla flavor from a molecule called vanillin found in vanilla beans ( 1, 2). Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in a mixture of water and ethyl alcohol ( 1). Vanilla extract is less processed and more expensive than vanilla essence, and many people say it has a stronger, purer vanilla flavor.
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