Whether you’re a beginner baker or you can whip up bananas foster with your eyes closed, chances are you’ve used vanilla extract. The ingredient, which is necessary for balancing sweetness in cookies and cakes, can run you more than $20.
Its high price point is why many people opt for imitation vanilla extract or vanilla flavoring instead. But what exactly is pure vanilla extract made from and is it interchangeable with its cheaper counterparts? Here’s the low down on the timeless pantry staple.
What Is Vanilla Extract?
Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in a solution of water and ethyl alcohol, such as vodka. The alcohol extracts the flavor, called vanillin, from the vanilla bean, hence the name.
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