Totonac Mexican Vanilla Extract

Mexican vanilla rules in my book. We don't buy brands-just what

anyone brings back from Mexico or whatever is available at the Mexican market. That is much more than I would pay for it but don't know if you have any Latin markets available.

 
Unfortunately, this area is ethnic-deprived food-wise. It's strange, because there is a significant

Mexican population, but the few stores they have here are lousy and unfriendly. I walked into one, and walked right out.

How is Mexican vanilla different from Madagascar?

 
P.S. How do you know whether you're getting the real stuff or if it's laced with coumarin?

 
It has a very heavy fragrance, aside from that I can't describe it

I've never worried much about the coumarin thing. I just watch to see that they say real vanilla and not vanillin or mix. (If they would lie about the contents of the bottle they would also lie and put "no coumarin" on the label.)

 
If you are dealing with a fairly large producer, they will tell you on the label, or...

...on their advertising.

I use Molina vanilla blend. I got off the boutique-vanilla bandwagon years ago. The madagascar, etc., is wonderful, but too pricey for me. I use a lot of vanilla, and Molina is CHEAP, available in any market catering to mexicans here in Phoenix, and it tastes just fine to me and my family. Vanillin is a natural compound found on the outside of vanilla pods. It is also synthesized and accounts for about 70% of the vanilla used in manufacturing.

Ever since a cheap, store-brand vanilla won CI's testing, I stopped buying the expensive stuff.

Michael

 
I only tried the artificial stuff once - CVS brand, which CI recommended. It was horrible!

 
Agree... When someone goes down to Mexico, I have a standing order for vanilla smileys/smile.gif

 
Close is relative, I guess... I'm not close and I don't go down, but friends cruise down sometimes

 
Am I the only one who doesn't care for the Mex Vanilla? I much prefer the Tahitian from Costco

 
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