Guide to the different types of vanilla

It’s time to tell you more about my favorite types of vanilla! Vanilla is the most common flavoring in my recipes. After all, it is a true classic and provides a rich flavor in sweet cooking and can be found in many ingredient lists.

Types of vanilla

Not only vanilla sugar and vanilla extract are welcome guests, but also vanilla paste or vanilla beans are often used in recipes.

In this article, I will explain the differences between all the types of vanilla flavors and the different forms so you can better understand what to use when and if you can substitute them for each other.

What is a vanilla bean?

Let’s start at the beginning: the vanilla bean pods. You can also call it a vanilla pod or a vanilla bean and I use them to make all types of vanilla flavoring.

Vanilla pods are very dark brown and feel a little sticky. You can cut them open and scrape out the vanilla pulp (filled with vanilla seeds), but you can also cook them in milk, for example.

They have a unique flavor and you can find them in different countries around the world. You have tahitian vanilla beans, mexican vanilla beans and the most well know; the madagascar vanilla beans.

Using vanilla beans

One vanilla pod is equal in strength to a full tablespoon of vanilla paste or extract. But beware, one vanilla pod is not the same as another. There are many differences in quality, but Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar is the cream of the crop.

Some examples of recipes that call for vanilla beans:

• Crème Brûlée
• Vanilla sauce

What is vanilla extract?

Pure vanilla extract is one of the most common types of vanilla that I use because it is a vanilla product that can be used in any recipe.

It is made from real natural vanilla and you can taste that in your baking. Nowadays it is available in more and more supermarkets and it is easy to find in (cooking-) webshops.

Using real vanilla extract

Because of the differences in price and quality, I prefer to make my own vanilla extract. Super easy to do. I also give the proportions compared to other vanilla flavors so you can substitute.

You usually add the extract to a recipe by the teaspoon. Some examples of recipes in which I have used vanilla extract (that would be in fact, most of the recipes on Laura’s Bakery):

• Dutch kniepertjes
• Vanilla muffins
• Pecan snowball cookies

What is Vanilla Flavoring or Vanilla Essence?

The name says it all, but a vanilla flavoring or essence is not made from real vanilla. It is an artificial vanilla that mimics the taste of real vanilla.

I read online that it has the advantage of being able to withstand the high temperatures of the oven better, leaving more of the vanilla flavor after baking.

Also, it is available in all supermarkets and is much cheaper than “real” vanilla flavoring. So it’s a popular choice for a lot of people who don’t want to spend the higher price on real vanilla.

Using vanilla essence or imitation vanilla extract

Quality vanilla extract is something you add in drops, that’s how strong the flavor is.

The vanilla flavoring and essence you can buy at the supermarket is not very concentrated. You add it in the same amounts as extract, but I personally think it doesn’t taste all that good. So I personally never use it.

What is vanilla sugar?

Vanilla sugar is sugar that has been flavored with vanilla beans.

You can buy it ready-made in the supermarket. These packets usually do not contain real vanilla, but the sugar is flavored with vanilla flavoring (an artificial flavoring).

Fortunately, you can make it yourself by putting some vanilla beans in a jar of sugar. I explain all about it in my recipe for vanilla sugar.

Using vanilla sugar

You usually add this sugar in 8 gram bags (0.2 oz), like you get at the grocery store, or by the tablespoon.

If you are using vanilla sugar to replace other vanilla flavorings, subtract the remaining sugar in the recipe evenly to avoid making the recipe too sweet.

Here are a few recipes where I usually use vanilla sugar:

• Vanilla Cake
• Chocolate chip sugar cookies

What is vanilla bean paste?

This paste is made from pure vanilla beans, finely ground with sugar, water and glucose syrup.

Incredibly easy to make, but the use of glucose syrup may put some off. This ingredient is readily available online, so don’t be put off.

Once you have a jar of glucose syrup in your home, you can still use it to make a lot of vanilla paste.

Use my recipe to make your own vanilla bean paste.

Using Vanilla bean Paste

Vanilla paste is liquid because of the glucose syrup, but it is more solid than vanilla extract.

You can substitute it for other vanilla flavors, but the big advantage is the distinctive tiny seeds of vanilla pith that you will see in your final product.

Vanilla paste is just as strong in flavor as vanilla extract and is usually added in teaspoons.

Recipe I like to use vanilla paste in:

• Natural cheesecake