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BLRA
Newbie
Joined: Aug 01, 2008
Posts: 10
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 Posted:
Thu Aug 14, 2008 6:42 am |
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My Aunt tries to teach me everything about cake decorating when we visit once a year and this year she told me that one of the best Vanilla she has had was from Costa Rica. Is this correct?
My husband can travel ther for work, so I thought I may have him buy some if it is true.
I just ran out of the grocery store vanilla, where would be a good place get some? I don't have a business license to buy from the distributors, so it would have to a chain/local store. I think I may need to do some research and find a cooking store. |
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MacsMom
Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 05, 2007
Posts: 1487
Location: CA
Gallery Supporter Member
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 6:58 am |
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I think it really depends on your own personal preference. I use vanilla coffee creamer in my cakes so the type of vanilla flavoring I add doesn't really make much of an impact...  |
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dandelion56602
Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 09, 2006
Posts: 1040
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:02 am |
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I prefer Madagascar Vanilla, which I think is the most common of the vanilla family. I've known a lot to like the Mexican vanilla, which is more of a sweeter then alcohol aroma, but I'm not much on it myself. |
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jibbies
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Jun 06, 2007
Posts: 1124
Location: Macon, Georgia
Birthday: Nov 06
Gallery Supporter Member
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:09 am |
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If that's your favorite vanilla stick with it. things like that are personal preference. You can order it online from several sources. I would just google either the brand name of the vanilla you had or Costa Rican vanilla.
Hope this helps
Jibbies |
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HerBoudoir
Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 18, 2008
Posts: 631
Location: Eastern Shore, Maryland
Birthday: Oct 18
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:00 am |
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This thread may help you: http://forum.cakecentral.com/c.....tml+debate
Please note that you need to be careful about vanilla produced in South America (Mexico and other areas), because it may contain coumarin or even lead - labeling and food safety laws are not as strict as the US. Check the FDA warning here: http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/o.....2807.html.
BTW, the home brewed vanilla is coming along great  . |
Last edited by HerBoudoir on Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:09 am; edited 1 time in total |
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onceuponacake
Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 12, 2006
Posts: 598
Location: GA
Gallery Supporter Member
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:08 am |
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I make my own. I bought madagascar vanilla beans online, found a recipe and voila!
i read the same thing as the above post about being careful about buying vanilla from Mexico. Not sure why, but its worth looking into before buying it |
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SUELA
Frequent Member
Joined: Nov 01, 2005
Posts: 355
Location: Ottawa Canada
Birthday: Aug 07
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:13 am |
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I really like my bottle of Mexican vanilla I bought in Feb for $9 Us for a litre! No coumarin either (which is a blood thinner). I don't like Dominican Republic vanilla though, or the Victorian Epicure pure vanilla (I think this is a Canadian company).
IMHO- regular store bought pure vanilla is good, and I do also like the taste of Wilton pure vanilla, but I agree too that is is a taste thing. I think Neillson Massey has vanilla as well as vanilla powder that is tasty. I would have him buy some of the Costa Rica vanilla anyway |
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jessfmaldonado
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 18, 2008
Posts: 394
Location: Florida
Birthday: Dec 02
Gallery Supporter Member
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:35 am |
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"I suggest Neilson-Massey or make your own. If you go to Surfas.com they have a WONDERFUL price on the 32 oz. of Neilson-Massey vanilla, the cheapest price I have been able to find. I also make my own, its really simple and easy. I just bought vanilla beans from silvercloudestates.com. Really good price on beans. Get a cheap bottle of vodka and voila, you have your own wonderful extract. A great website to check out to make your extract is vanillareview.com. Great info there!!!
HTH
Jessica |
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dandelion56602
Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 09, 2006
Posts: 1040
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:17 am |
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Oh, I love Neilson-MAssey's vanilla but it's so pricey. I have been lucky enough to find it at TJ Maxx every once in a while. When I say Mexican vanilla, that doesn't necessarily mean bought there. They do make it FDA approved. http://www.mexicanvanillaextra.....|747699180 |
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HerBoudoir
Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 18, 2008
Posts: 631
Location: Eastern Shore, Maryland
Birthday: Oct 18
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:38 am |
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If you're willing to invest, you can get really good deals on 32 oz bottles of Nielsen Massey online.
A good alternative is Trader Joe's Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla - it's about $5 for 4 ounces, and much better than supermarket variety.
But if cost is an issue - try brewing your own sometime. Buy your beans on the internet, use cheap vodka, and be patient while it brews (a couple months to get started), and you end up with really good quality vanilla for a very reasonable price. |
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dandelion56602
Forum Fanatic
Joined: May 09, 2006
Posts: 1040
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:48 am |
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I've thought about brewing my own, but when reading it seems like a lot to brew, drain off, refill, brew some more, etc. I just wonder if my brain would remember how long it had brewed how long it needed to, how much I'd poured off, and if one batch would be stronger than another, etc. But I go through so much w/ cakes & cookies it makes me sick when I buy it |
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mixinvixen
Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 23, 2007
Posts: 693
Gallery Supporter Member
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Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:51 am |
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i bought a lady out of her cake business...part of the package was 2 very large things of "dancy" brand vanilla. i've used it off and on but the other day, we had guests and decided to make homemade icecream. i gave my husband the "dancy vanilla' when he wanted a touch more flavor...it made it taste kind of cinnamon'y...which i hated!! my husband said that is the exact flavor that he could always taste in my icings that he didn't really like...so we're throwing that stuff out!!!!!!!!! |
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BLRA
Newbie
Joined: Aug 01, 2008
Posts: 10
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Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:55 pm |
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Lots of advice I would have never thought of.
I did not know you could make vanilla. I probably shouldn't try to make my own, I would run out of vodka, if you know what I mean  |
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HerBoudoir
Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 18, 2008
Posts: 631
Location: Eastern Shore, Maryland
Birthday: Oct 18
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Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:23 am |
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I posted a "how to" on making vanilla extract over in the General forum |
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DebBTX
Frequent Member
Joined: Dec 25, 2007
Posts: 313
Location: Texas
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Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:59 am |
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I order my vanilla extract, etc. from Adam's Extracts.
Their vanilla is an old-fashioned double strength vanilla that is wonderful. They call it Adam's Best Vanilla.
You can order a variety of sizes, from a small bottle to a gallon. 
-Debbie B. |
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