topic Re: Mexican Vanilla in Recipes

Mexican Vanilla

PrettyPetunia — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:27:04 GMT

Recently I received a large bottle of Mexican Vanilla. It has a different fragrance than my usual vanilla extract. Now I'm wondering if it is used in the same way as my McCormick's. Any thoughts and suggestions would help!

Re: Mexican Vanilla

betteb — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:33:40 GMT

Before you use that large bottle read this.

http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/vanilla.asp

Re: Mexican Vanilla

PrettyPetunia — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 19:55:58 GMT

Betteb, thanks for your reply. I took your suggestion and found the Snopes site very informative and interesting.

Interesting in that coumarin is used in small amounts in warfarin. My husband has been on warfarin for several years and yes, I've heard warfarin called rat poison.

On the label of the Mexican Vanilla bottle is stated "no coumarin" and Snopes said coumarin had been banned in the US since 1940. The label also reads "Pure Vanilla", with ingredients of water, vanilla bean extractives and potassium.

My McCormick's bottle lists vanilla bean extractives in water and alcohol (41%).

Since I still have doubt, out it goes.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

Lotus — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:00:23 GMT

I don't know anything about Mexican Vanilla, but when I was at Penzeys, the Madagascar Vanilla has to be the MOST delicious scent!!!

Re: Mexican Vanilla

Mistreatedbycs — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:01:29 GMT

That's the only vanilla I use, bought mine from Penzey's

Love the stuff.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

sunshine45 — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:02:49 GMT

not all mexican vanillas are the same....i do go to mexico and buy vanilla sometimes. it is wonderful! make sure to read the labels and buy from trusted vendors.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

KYToby — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:32:22 GMT

Both Penzey's and Neilsen-Massey make great Mexican vanilla, and there are a number of other reputable brands on the market. Mexican vanilla has a spicier taste and pairs well with chocolate.

I make my own vanilla extra using Bourbon (I am in Kentucky, after all), and I use one part Mexican vanilla beans (for spice), one part Tahitian vanilla beans (for aroma), and two parts of Madagascar vanilla beans (a great all-purpose vanilla). It works out well in many things.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

lovesrecess — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:34:44 GMT

I always buy my vanilla in Mexico...I have been enough that I know where to get ""the good stuff"" It's flavor / scent never bakes away like so many of the imitation ones.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

ahoymate — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:40:44 GMT

The orchid that produces vanilla beans originated in Mexico. It was always the very best and only vanilla you could buy for a while. Like all things, you need to be discerning about how things are grown etc.

Today, there are 3 other regions that grow the orchid. Google this for details.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

RespectLife — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 23:23:47 GMT

On 2/10/2014 KYToby said:
Both Penzey's and Neilsen-Massey make great Mexican vanilla, and there are a number of other reputable brands on the market. Mexican vanilla has a spicier taste and pairs well with chocolate.

I make my own vanilla extra using Bourbon (I am in Kentucky, after all), and I use one part Mexican vanilla beans (for spice), one part Tahitian vanilla beans (for aroma), and two parts of Madagascar vanilla beans (a great all-purpose vanilla). It works out well in many things.

KYToby...that sounds delicious! Go into business! I would love to buy some!! I will watch for your upcoming website/ebay listings!!

OT-hubby just got back from a UK BB game he was lucky enough to get tickets for. He went on a tour of a place where they make real KY bourbon. Raved about Honey Bourbon...alas...forgot to bring me some!! GRRRRR!!!

Re: Mexican Vanilla

debcakes — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 00:09:10 GMT

The Mexican brand, Molina, seems to be sold everywhere in the US and says on the label that it is safe. I have used it a lot. I also buy it from Penzey's.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

Deadeye Daisy — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 01:56:00 GMT

We've been using Mexican Vanilla for over 35 years, as well as NM. Brought my first bottle back in 1977. You do use less of it, as it tends to be stronger.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

abbeythe 8th — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 02:09:37 GMT

When vacationing in Mexico we always brought back silver jewelry, Kahlua and vanilla.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

Deadeye Daisy — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 08:31:09 GMT

We always found some humor in the pure Mexican vanilla. You are restricted in the amount of booze you can bring back every 30 days, but there's no limit on the vanilla. Pure vanilla is 35% alcohol. It has a higher alcohol content than a lot of the booze you might bring back.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

ROMARY — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 22:34:16 GMT

Add vanilla to vodka and put in a fine spray bottle. Use it as an air freshener in the kitchen, on sweaters (dark colors). Don't throw it out.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

poobear1 — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 15:01:56 GMT

I made my own vanilla extract and gave bottles as gifts. I purchased beautiful bottles at Marshall's. I purchased my Madagascar beans from https://www.beanilla.com. The recipe is on their site.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

PamelaSue72 — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 15:34:22 GMT

On 2/10/2014 KYToby said:
Both Penzey's and Neilsen-Massey make great Mexican vanilla, and there are a number of other reputable brands on the market. Mexican vanilla has a spicier taste and pairs well with chocolate.

I make my own vanilla extra using Bourbon (I am in Kentucky, after all), and I use one part Mexican vanilla beans (for spice), one part Tahitian vanilla beans (for aroma), and two parts of Madagascar vanilla beans (a great all-purpose vanilla). It works out well in many things.

I'm a bourbon girl, too, and that's how I make most of my vanilla.

Actually, I start both a fifth of bourbon and a fifth of Grey Goose vodka and make vanilla from them, each in their own bottles. I take my time with vanilla and let it go for a good six months or so before I use it. During that time, the bottles are stored in the kitchen cabinet and I roll each bottle carefully about once a week or so. I get my vanilla beans on eBay from VanillaTraders...they have great vanilla beans. I prefer Madagascar beans, but I have gotten Tahitian beans from eBay and they're really good, too.

I use my bourbon vanilla in custards, coffee cakes, and in butter pecan cake. Anything where just a hint of bourbon will add a bit of a kick to the food. My vodka vanilla is primarily used with chocolate recipes and in most cupcake recipes.

Right now I'm almost at the end of my bourbon vanilla and I don't have much vodka vanilla left either. Christmas baking really does a number on my vanilla supplies. But I do have new bottles started, so I should be good.

And don't forget, you can make a decadent vanilla sugar with your split vanilla beans, too!

Re: Mexican Vanilla

jojo12 — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 15:40:29 GMT

On 2/12/2014 poobear1 said:
I made my own vanilla extract and gave bottles as gifts. I purchased beautiful bottles at Marshall's. I purchased my Madagascar beans from https://www.beanilla.com. The recipe is on their site.

Thanks for the link poobear1!! I've been wanting to do this for quite some time. I'd like to make some and give as gifts. I think this would make a great gift along with maybe some bakeware, etc.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

debic — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 15:51:50 GMT

I use it exactly the same as any other vanilla.

Re: Mexican Vanilla

willdob3 — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:07:18 GMT

On 2/10/2014 KYToby said:
Both Penzey's and Neilsen-Massey make great Mexican vanilla, and there are a number of other reputable brands on the market. Mexican vanilla has a spicier taste and pairs well with chocolate.

I make my own vanilla extra using Bourbon (I am in Kentucky, after all), and I use one part Mexican vanilla beans (for spice), one part Tahitian vanilla beans (for aroma), and two parts of Madagascar vanilla beans (a great all-purpose vanilla). It works out well in many things.

Thanks for the description. I had a feeling Mexican vanilla would be something good! I'm going to look around for some locally.

Your version sounds even better!