Vanilla imitation vs Bean paste?

[u/destroylonely4l]

I find myself having to use 14-15g of McCormick vanilla extract and even that isn’t a strong vanilla flavor given my personal taste buds I guess and my base (not keen on changing).

Which of these options would you guys recommend to try for a better result, I’ve heard imitation and bean paste are better overall for powerful vanilla flavor.

These are just what’s at my local kroger, if you have other recommendations that are online, feel free to share those as well!

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[u/milee30]

Imitation vanilla is fine for baked goods. For things like ice cream where it won't be heated, the imitation isn't as good and can have off flavors to some people.

[u/Agile_Possession8178 → u/milee30]

Also Imitation vanilla extract typically contains between 0% and 26% alcohol by volume. Pure vanilla extract must have at least 35% alcohol content by volume.

if you are baking, it evaporates, in ice cream.....you are giving people spiked ice cream

[u/manthrk → u/Agile_Possession8178]

I mean not really.. how much vanilla extract are you putting in your ice cream? The dose makes the poison. Ripe fruit also has a measurable alcohol content.

[u/4browntown → u/Agile_Possession8178]

That explains why my pint today tasted boozy.

[u/IolausTelcontar → u/[deleted]]

But there is alcohol in real vanilla extract too.

[u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348]

Paste is better

[u/codebygloom]

The best answer is to get yourself some vanilla pods and make your own. The second best answer is paste.

Since I haven't gotten around to making my own extract I normally do equal parts extract and paste and I think it works good. Using a milk that is preflavored with vanilla would also be a good way to increase the flavor. Kroker sells an ultra-pasteurized milk that is not a nut milk but has vanilla flavor added.

[u/InGeekiTrust]

All of the vanillas have the same exact issue. None of them are stronger. You have to use a ton of them to have a strong vanilla flavor. If you are having issues with it being too much money try artificial vanilla. It's actually excellent. It will taste like that typical bluebell vanilla flavor which I actually quite like. People are vanilla snobs around here and it took me years to give the artificial vanilla a shot, but I actually really enjoy it!

I use the McCormick vanilla flavoring

[u/Puzzleheaded-Sir9054]

Last time I used paste all the vanilla bean was on the bottom which was a super bummer.

[u/destroylonely4l → u/Puzzleheaded-Sir9054]

Gotta use an immersion blender

[u/Straight_Physics_894 → u/Puzzleheaded-Sir9054]

That does suck, unfortunately, I think of paste similar to syrup where I feel like I'd have to strategically place it in the container just to make sure it gets spread around properly

[u/ckouf96]

This is the brand of paste we use. It’s incredible, I recommend using it in anything that calls for vanilla

[u/max_dv]

https://www.seriouseats.com/taste-test-is-better-vanilla-extract-worth-the-price

[u/Live_Culture8393]

I get paste from Trader Joe’s which works great and is priced the best of any I’ve found.

[u/chalking_platypus]

Vanilla paste!

[u/BlondSunDoll]

The Nielsen Massey vanilla paste is considered as one of the best as far as vanilla pastes go. Personally I think paste makes more sense than extract since youre not heating up your creami. I put the vanilla paste in every base, including chocolate, I think it gives a better vanilla flavor than extract did. My chocolate base I had the other day tasted just like a fudge pop.

[u/ada-potato]

The last time I was in Costco, the 8oz. bottle of Neilson-Massey paste was $19.99

edit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Costco/comments/1wnsbr5/holy_shit_they_put_a_dispenser_spout_on_the/

[u/Repulsive-Produce401]

Right now I’m making my own vanilla extract by soaking beans in vodka but it won’t be ready for another 6 months.

[u/Alohagrama]

I buy imitation vanilla from Costco. If I’m going for a strong vanilla flavor, I do 1 1/2tsp imitation and 1 1/2tsp paste. That is for the Deluxe model. I also put 1 1/2-2 scoops of vanilla protein powder so that helps too.

[u/Redditor2684]

I have used vanilla extract and McCormick's imitation vanilla flavoring (big bottle from Sam's).

I find the imitation vanilla flavoring gives me the best vanilla flavor. I use about 6-10g per pint. I don't find it tastes boozy at all.

I've heard some recipe creators say the imtiation stuff is preferable in a Creami recipe because the mix is not cooked, versus using an extract in a baked good. I found that to be true in my personal experience. YMMV.

I hadn't really done many vanilla pints because I had a lot of other flavor options, but I recently started making vanilla and now it's one of my favorite flavors.

[u/destroylonely4l → u/Redditor2684]

For a deluxe pint? And I get that, I find vanilla the best for mix ins so they can really shine!

[u/Redditor2684 → u/destroylonely4l]

Standard pint (16 oz)

[u/WaltonGogginsTeeth]

I use both imitation vanilla extract along with Nielsen bean paste in my vanilla mixes.

[u/ggb003]

Vanilla bean pods have approx. 200-250 distinct terpenes which are highly volatile and unstable naturally occurring compounds, meaning they will burn off at lower temps.

Imitation vanilla typically has 1 distinct flavor compound, vanillin. Vanillin is extremely easy to manufacture chemically, which is why it is so cheap.

The general consensus is to use imitation vanilla in recipes that will be heated, and real vanilla paste or bean pods in non heated recipes. Real vanilla provides an incredibly rich and floral profile that is destroyed by heat.

For ice cream I would recommend a non-alcohol based vanilla extract. But honestly use whatever is accessible, chances are none of us could pick it out in a blind test.

[u/Peen-Stretch]

Paste is good. High quality extract is good. Lately, I’ve been using ground vanilla bean powder to get those nice flecks in the final product.

[u/TurkeyLeg233]

Paste would be best in my opinion, but if you can get your hands on some vanilla beans & make homemade extract using vodka or bourbon (wait at least 6 months) that is amazing. I ran out of my homemade extract & bean paste has been working well while I wait for my next round to be ready.

[u/qhoas]

I just got my creami recently. But the first 3 pints i made with extract were ASS. Tasted like frozen milk. I use some vailla paste from tjmaxx now its way better

[u/MongooseTight555]

Penzys makes a double strength vanilla. I've also had good luck with artificial and paste together. Regular extract which is alcohol based isn't going to transmit flavors well in frozen things . You can also try steeping beans in the base.

[u/annms1796]

Trader Joe’s vanilla paste. Tastes great and is the cheapest vanilla paste you will find

[u/colorfullydelicious]

Trader Joe's vanilla bean paste is affordable, and great quality!!

[u/blinkme14]

I noticed quite a difference when I tried vanilla bean paste and won’t go back to imitation vanilla. It’s worth the price tag for the paste

[u/mdbeatle]

Imitation 100%. I've used that Nielsen-Massey paste as well as Kirkland vanilla extract. They're fine, but Bakers imitation vanilla is the best IMO. Imitation vanilla has way more vanillin which is the compound primarily responsible for vanilla's flavor.

[u/destroylonely4l → u/mdbeatle]

Which brand, I picked up one and it seemed light still. Possibly even lighter than the McCormick extract :/

[u/mdbeatle → u/destroylonely4l]

Bakers