pure vanilla extract vs vanilla extract

[Doj]

Hi

Does anyone know the difference between pure vanilla extract and vanilla extract. I just bought the pure one and looked at the ingredients and the second ingredient is alcohol. Is this ok for baking for infants? Since so many recipes call for vanilla extract, should I just buy the artificial one?

[Freya'sMum]

Dunno about the difference between pure vanilla extract and vanilla extract, but there certainly is a difference between vanilla extract and vanilla essence, which is not a natural ingredient - I think you're fine with the extract, even with some alcohol in, it'll be such a tiny amount I can't imagine it being a problem.

What age is your lo?

Ax

[Elvira]

Or alternatively, use vanilla beans (but you have to boil them together with the milk normally used for those recipes to extract the flavour)

[SylvieA]

pure vanilla vs vanilla extract, I would chose pure extract as there are no artificial flavor and and taste better, and there is alcohol in both extract. There is a very small amount of alcohol in either you chose and once it's been backed/cooked there abarely any traces of alcohol left so it is safe. Hope that helps....Oh and vanilla beans are great but very expensive. I only use those on special occasions. Hope that helps

[Elvira]

Yes, it is true that alcohol evaporates with cooking and very quickly.  Vanilla beans are very expensive but the taste is wonderful and last longer in storage than extracts (at least, perhaps I do not use it very often, but extracts seem to me "funny" in smell and taste after about 6 months).

[SylvieA]

Elvira, i agree when it comes to taste..You can even put the bean (once the vanilla scraped out) in sugar. It adds that little extra flavor in coffee and other things you may use with sugar.

[Elvira]

What a good idea!  I,ll try that with my sugar