Does anyone buy clear vanilla in a large quantity? If so, where is a good price. I'm having a hard time finding it in a large quantity. I'm tired of buying tons of little bottles from WalMart and I'm sure it's not cost effective!
Thanks!
I have friends of mine that go to Mexico every year bring me back some, so I never have to buy any here
Sorry I can't be of more help!
You should NEVER EVER use Mexican Vanilla- It is made for Tonka Beans which can be poisonous.
Tonka beans were banned in this country by the FDA back in the 1940s. They contain coumarin which is an anticoagulant, or blood thinner. They use this in rat poison to create internal bleeding. We try very hard to warn people that when you buy Mexican vanilla, if it is a big bottle that you have bought for a few dollars, it is vanilla made with Tonka beans. Vanilla beans are almost as expensive in Mexico as they are here, it is because of the lengthy growing process and all intensive hand labor needed. Tonka beans are cheap and have very similar flavor profiles to vanilla and that is why they are used to make vanilla. Even if we did want to carry the tonka beans, it would not be legal for us to do so in this country.
I really like this brand, and as it is double strength, you only have to use 1/2.
http://www.watkinsonline.com/productsgroup.cfm?Page=All&Parent=228&gCatalogLocale=USA&ECredit=081200N
Wow the Watkins has all kinds of extracts. I don't have a lot of experience using different flavor extracts, but I'd love to give them a shot and experiment!
Does everyone here use fun flavors like those??
Ditto on the Mexican vanilla -- it is a big no-no. My dad has been on several mission trips to Mexico and they were warned about bringing back vanilla.
I also buy from Watkins. I just went ahead and became an associate a few years ago so that I could get the discount. Everything I buy from there is great. I use the clear vanilla and the butter flavoring for my icing.
southerncake, what does being an associate mean?? do you sell Watkins or something?
southerncake, what does being an associate mean?? do you sell Watkins or something?
Yes, it's like Mary Kay or Southern Living at Home or Pampered Chef. I don't actually sell it to other people just because I don't have time, but I order it for my friends and family. I just figured with as much of it as I buy, I could really use the discount!! When I was young, I went with my mom to several Watkins parties (like a Tupperware party). She has used Watkins for as many years as I can remember!
What about vanilla brought back from other countries??? ie: Haiti, Dom. Republic? Are these bad too? I never use them in my cakes or icings, just in stuff I make at home that I want to have an "enhanced" flavor.
Thanks for the info!
I have never looked this up myself, but when my dad has been to the Dominican Republic they were told then also not to bring back things like vanilla.
What about vanilla brought back from other countries??? ie: Haiti, Dom. Republic? Are these bad too? I never use them in my cakes or icings, just in stuff I make at home that I want to have an "enhanced" flavor.
Thanks for the info!
I have never looked this up myself, but when my dad has been to the Dominican Republic they were told then also not to bring back things like vanilla.
Wow - ok then! Thanks!
I am a Watkins associate too! I do sell a little, but I don't really push selling. I LOVE the extracts! I need to look into buying myself a gallon of the vanilla because I go through so much of it. I used the maple extract in buttercream not too long ago and oh my gosh! It was amazing! I wanted to turn the bottle up and drink the entire thing! hehe But I knew it wouldn't taste like maple straight! lol
The almond is also awesome!
wow! I never heard of that before - Watkins parties?? I'm going to have to look into that!
wood particles???? please explain!!!
Vanillin is the most prominent flavor in vanilla, and is present in many organisms other than the vanilla bean. Oak barrels is one excellent example that accounts for a vanilla flavor in some Chardonnays .
So all clear vanilla, and anything that isn't pure vanilla extract, is made from these other compounds, most being byproducts of either the pulp and paper industry or the petrochemical industry.
In the case of tropical countries without vigorous labeling laws, you can bet that Tonka bean is one of the ingredients.
holy cow!! I never thought twice about using clear vanilla....is it really as bad as it sounds??
It definitely can be.
I wouldn't use it and I wouldn't buy from someone who I knew was using it.
It definitely can be.
I wouldn't use it and I wouldn't buy from someone who I knew was using it.
If you don't use clear vanilla, what do you use in white buttercream?
I have heard (not tried yet) that you can use a small drop of violet coloring and it will turn your icing white white!!!!
Back to Mexican vanilla.... I thought there were two different kinds of Mexican vanilla.. one bad and one good.
I am going to start my own vanilla tonight. Ordered beans, bought the booze, and ready to go!! I am tired of spending so much money on such a little bottle... and not very strong
There are all sorts of rumors, aren't there. Vanilla here, in Mexico, is as safe as any type in the U.S. I have a hard time finding clear vanilla so buy it in the U.S., but regular vanilla is on the shelf at about the same price as in the U.S. I've never seen clear vanilla in bulk, sorry.
I have heard (not tried yet) that you can use a small drop of violet coloring and it will turn your icing white white!!!!
Back to Mexican vanilla.... I thought there were two different kinds of Mexican vanilla.. one bad and one good.
I am going to start my own vanilla tonight. Ordered beans, bought the booze, and ready to go!! I am tired of spending so much money on such a little bottle... and not very strong
I've done this, and it turns it kind of a grey white...
I am going to start my own vanilla tonight. Ordered beans, bought the booze, and ready to go!! I am tired of spending so much money on such a little bottle... and not very strong
Me too!! I'm starting my Christmas present vanilla tonight!!
Has anyone tried the Wilton white for their icing made with real vanilla? I bought some but haven't gotten a chance to try it yet and was wondering if it works. I hate using anything but real vanilla. TIA!
It definitely can be.
I wouldn't use it and I wouldn't buy from someone who I knew was using it.
If you don't use clear vanilla, what do you use in white buttercream?
Putting butter in BC actually turns it more off white than real vanilla. You can also use whitener since titanium dioxide is a naturally occuring element, not just another chemical, and is actually found in anything edible that is white, including your toothpaste.
There are all sorts of rumors, aren't there. Vanilla here, in Mexico, is as safe as any type in the U.S. I have a hard time finding clear vanilla so buy it in the U.S., but regular vanilla is on the shelf at about the same price as in the U.S. I've never seen clear vanilla in bulk, sorry.
There is EXTRAORDINARILY good vanilla from Mexico. Mexican Vanilla Beans can be some of the finest in the world. The trouble is that Mexico doesn't have labeling laws that require manufacturers to label extract that has been enriched with Tonka Bean, which is still legal to sell in Mexico. Tonka Bean, in and of itself, doesn't contain enough coumarin to make most people sick, but again, not knowing how much is in the product, the elderly, the very young etc.
It is just mush safer to buy pure vanilla from a country that requires full disclosure on the label. I don't use any artificial flavorings my self. Our buttercream is made with all butter and a strong dose of our own vanilla extract blend. It is ivory, but takes color, and we do use a fair bit of brite white at times.
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