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Vanilla vs Vanillin

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OR
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This debate deserves its own post. From some of my recent posts, you’ve probably guessed that I’m becoming more conscious about what goes into our bellies. As a former health teacher, I’m always interested in learning as much as possible about the ingredients in our food. I may be a SAHM now but I still get health-related questions from family and friends. So, I like to stay informed.

There’s a ton of nutritional info floating around. Some true, some half true, and some just nuts. I feel it’s very important to evaluate the source of information. Cooks Illustrated (CI) is the written content associated with America’s Test Kitchen. They’re sort of like the Consumer Reports of food. They evaluate and test different ingredients, kitchen tools and appliances, cooking techniques, and recipes so that the consumer can make an educated decision. I trust their kitchen expertise.

And, I get a kick out of this guy. Hehehe


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They researched one of my favorite ingredients – vanilla (and its ugly fraternal twin, vanillin). Baking is one of my hobbies so I use vanilla often. My mom loved to bake goodies when we were kids. I was in always in awe that she didn’t need a recipe for cookies – it was memorized. She made them often so we could have an inexpensive, junk-free treat in our lunches. “Junk” is an umbrella term I use to describe trans fats, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), pesticides, and artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.

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It’s very difficult to eliminate ALL junk from our diet so I’m making changes gradually. First, I’ve banished all HFCS. Next in line was trans fats. They’re HORRIBLE for our bodies!

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My latest ambition is to get rid of all fake colors and flavors. Sometimes some junk gets through but I like to keep it to a minimum.

Vanilla is called for in SO MANY baked sweet treats. When I was a broke college student, I once bought imitation vanilla (vanillin) instead of the real extract. Big mistake! Once I smelled it, I was grossed out. It smelled more like a waxy candle instead of something edible.

It sat in my pantry for years until I finally chucked it. I’m not sure why I held onto it so long. I guess I thought I’d use it for a craft or something. Never happened.

I was so happy to find that Cook’s Illustrated did a vanilla extract/vanillin review. Click HERE for the entire article.

12 brands were tested. 12? I didn’t know that many existed.

Here’s what they say about VANILLIN (ugh!):

“…Vanilla is a powerful “flavor potentiator,” meaning it enhances our ability to taste other foods including chocolate, coffee, fruit, and nuts, and boosts our perception of sweetness. While this is true for both pure and imitation vanilla, the choices are far from identical. Scientists have identified around 250 flavor and aroma compounds in real vanilla, while the artificial version has just one: vanillin, the predominant flavor in natural vanilla.

 Pure vanilla is made by steeping vanilla beans in water and ethyl alcohol, with the exact proportions of each mandated by the government. The beans are expensive, grown on flowering orchid vines in only a handful of tropical countries. They take time and painstaking labor to grow, process, and ship, even before they are converted to extract.

 Imitation vanilla, on the other hand, is a byproduct of paper production or a derivative of coal tar, chemically manufactured through fairly simple and inexpensive processes. Because it’s so cheap, annual global demand for imitation vastly outstrips that for natural vanilla, at 16,000 metric tons to just 40 metric tons for natural vanilla…”

A PAPER FACTORY BYPRODUCT!

No wonder I was grossed out. It’s used in many prepackaged sweets in the grocery store. And, look who packs it into their chocolate! OH NO!

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I was surpised to read that McCormick’s Pure Vanilla won against 12 other brands.

I’ve used this product (who hasn’t?) and find that it does have a good vanilla flavor.

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However, I found another brand that I love even more. It wasn’t one of the 12 tested. It’s Watkin’s Organic Pure Vanilla Extract.

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It costs a tad bit more BUT I use about ½ as much product since it’s so potent. The taste is so nice.

So, I’m curious…since I love to bake goodies… Any favorite recipe containing vanilla?  I’d love to know 😉


Follow along my all-natural journey:

Where I found junk-less candy


How I Make Homemade Nesquik


How I Make My Own Lip Balm
With Chocolate
How I Make My Own Oatmeal Creme Pies
How I Make My Own Graham Crackers
How I Make My Own Tortillas
How I Make My Own Marshmallows
Why I’m Sick of Soy
How I Make My Own Deodorant


17 Comments

« Pressed Homemade Tortillas
Personalized Name Plaques and a Family Visit »

Comments

  1. Rustown Mom says

    April 12, 2010 at 1:06 pm

    How timely is this! Vanilla is on my grocery list for today – gonna make those chocolate chip bacon pecan cookies – I have been buying McCormick's vanilla, but might have to try the Watkins. Like you, I vow to become more label-conscious!

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  2. Sherri @ Design2Shine says

    April 12, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    I have 2 – Recently posted Gooey Cake AND my 'famous' Christmas Gift cake that my sister's family won't allow me in the house if I don't bring it. LOL

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  3. Ryan says

    April 12, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    Couldn't agree with you more Sugar Bananas. Real vanilla is absolutely key when baking. It seems like so many manufacturers have become financially dependent on artificial everything! Keep the awesome recipes coming!!

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  4. Heather @ Gerber Days says

    April 12, 2010 at 6:52 pm

    Looks like you are on track to becoming super healthy. I hate to say though…. your post only made me hungry, and now as I write this, I'm eating chocolate. 😉

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  5. Holly says

    April 12, 2010 at 8:56 pm

    I put vanilla in everything…years ago I realized there was real vanilla (my mom always had the imitation stuff..ick!) and have never looked back…yum vanilla.

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  6. Julie says

    April 13, 2010 at 3:18 am

    Loved this post! I, too, am obsessed with ATK/CI. They are always spot on in my book. 🙂

    I'll have to look for Watkin's Organic Pure Vanilla extract. Can you find it in your local grocery store or in a more specialized organic market?

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  7. Connie Weiss says

    April 13, 2010 at 4:27 am

    I used imitation vanilla up until a few years ago. I just bought what I grew up with….

    I'm amazed how much better my food tastes with the good stuff!

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  8. MamaBug says

    April 14, 2010 at 11:29 pm

    We just recently learned about the evil Vanillin (or Vanillin the villain)
    Thanks for the post; I'm a new follower.

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  9. Angie says

    April 15, 2010 at 3:26 am

    Hi Sarah!
    I have an award for you! Please come to my blog to pick it up!
    Angie

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  10. Danielle says

    April 15, 2010 at 6:07 pm

    That is so great to know! I always use pure vanilla extract anyway. The fake stuff just tastes to…fake!

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  11. Milk and Honey Mommy says

    April 15, 2010 at 11:16 pm

    I too use Watkins double and I actually use the listed amount so you can imagine I'm soaring w/flavor. One of the reasons I cook is because I love to bake (cupcakes anytime I want) and I do scratch and NO imitation.

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  12. A Mom After God's Own Heart says

    April 16, 2010 at 10:39 pm

    Great blog! I am a new follower from FMF! Would love a follow back:)

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  13. veterankindergartenteacher says

    April 17, 2010 at 4:43 am

    Hi there. I found your blog through Friday Follow. If you would be interested in following my blog, I would gladly return the favor.

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  14. Paige says

    April 19, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    I recently bought the Watkins brand vanilla at Walmart. I like it, I use the full amount. I think I bought it b/c it was a little cheaper than McCormick. Sam's Club has a really good deal on vanilla, I am going to get it next time and try it out.

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Trackbacks

  1. Smooth Homemade Marshmallows says:
    February 5, 2016 at 4:28 am

    […] I just shake my head at artificial flavors.  Click here to read my post about “Vanilla vs. […]

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  2. The Dirty Dozen says:
    February 5, 2016 at 4:30 am

    […] trying to teach  my kids about the “junk” in foods …(Remember my “Vanilla vs Vanillin” post?)… and these cards would be a great way to illustrate “The Dirty […]

    Log in to Reply
  3. Easy Homemade Holiday Food Gift Ideas - Sugar Bananas! says:
    December 1, 2017 at 1:58 pm

    […] Read here why I NEVER USE artificial vanilla flavoring! […]

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Sarah profile
welcome to sugar bananas Hey there! I'm Sarah, the face behind Sugar Bananas. Here you'll find TONS of ideas for creating a Happy, Healthy Home! Want to learn how to prep all of your dinners for the week in one hour? Follow @SugarBananas on Facebook for Live videos. Also, be sure to check the shop for your 5 Step Meal Prep Meal plan, shopping list, and instructions!
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