vs. vanilla powder?
I love vanilla.
Sometimes, I add more than my recipes say.
Lately several of my recipes have used vanilla paste (um, why do I type pasta every time there?) instead of vanilla extract. Within an hour of my last recipe publishing, I had 18 people ask me about vanilla paste. Several more questions throughout the day and days after – so I thought I’d share more here.
I order my vanilla paste online, but I have seen it in some stores. Vanilla paste is the same as (pure*) vanilla extract in strength and flavor – so you can easily substitute the same amount of vanilla extract for any recipe with paste.
*I always buy pure vanilla extract, not imitation. I don’t know what that is, but it is synthetic.
I just love vanilla, and I love products. Especially cooking and baking products, so I have to try everything. Vanilla paste is more like a gel consistency, and has the vanilla bean seeds in it:
I also use vanilla powder. I haven’t had this in a while, but I picked some up when we were in Mexico in December.
This stuff is good. Almost coconutty good.
Vanilla powder is the whole vanilla bean, ground into a fine powder. I use it to flavor liquids, from smoothies to coffee drinks.
Do you use vanilla paste? Straight bean? Powder?
Pat says
Thank you for telling us the difference between the paste and extract. This was the best description (and picture) I found online. I too add double the vanilla extract. Maybe I need to scrape some seeds into my cookies too.
Kristina Sloggett says
you are very welcome, Pat, glad you found me! I love vanilla paste and the vanilla bean, and I always use more than necessary 😉
Charisma says
How do you order the Vanilla Paste ??
Linda says
Hello, my name is Linda, and I am a vanilla-holic. I am so bad that I even go to Juarez to get my fix. I usually triple vanilla in my baking. I have used vanilla powder, but I had never heard of vanilla paste, until now. Will definately have to try it!
spabettie says
Linda, good to meet you. I share your vanilla-holicism 😉 I always add more vanilla, LOVE my vanilla powder from Mexico, and… you MUST try the paste – it will be your new favorite! 😀