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What exactly is the flavor or taste of vanilla extract? Somehow, a tiny drop seems to make big difference, so it's kinda miracle I can't say what it tastes like, but after I add a single drop in my mocha, it tastes like what it should, unlike before.
Any by the way, I'm new to using vanilla extract, so am not sure how much to use, and what food to add it. Beside cookies (which I don't make), drinks, what else can I use it to enhance the flavor?
Pure vanilla extract has a touch of alcohol. Soooooo....for insomnia, one of my favorite things to do is make a warm cup of milk with vanilla extract and artificial sweetener. Mmmmmm. The milk has melatonin and the vanilla has a touch of alcohol. It helps me to sleep.
I've heard that it's a comforting scent to put in some water on the stove for simmering, like when you are selling your house. You either bake cookies, or use that vanilla scent. Of course, I think it'd be easier & last longer to use the scented oils with sticks (what do you call those?).
Btw the one I bought was non alcoholic. I wonder why most of them need alcohol?
There are a few of methods of extracting aromatics from their plants. Solvent extraction with hexane is one, often used to remove thicker oils and fats from plants (such as soybean and nut oils). Centrifugal extraction is one - used regularly with citrus oils. Alcohol extraction is another. It's a matter of science - you need some method of "extracting" the desired oil from the plant. You could also lay a layer of lard out on waxed paper, spread the seeds on the lard, let it stew a few weeks, and then use hexane to extract the aromatic from the lard (that's done often with delicate flower oils, such as jasmine and rose).
Since we're dealing with a flavoring agent added to sweet foods, the best option would be an alcohol extraction. Alcohol is a very thin liquid and a very small amount will mix well in things like cake batter. The alcohol evaporates in the cooking process, but the aromatic flavor remains.
^^^ Yes, amazing. Never occurred to me how the flavor might have been extracted from the plant (apparently thought the flavor crawled out of the plant by itself ).
^^^ Yes, amazing. Never occurred to me how the flavor might have been extracted from the plant (apparently thought the flavor crawled out of the plant by itself ).
Right there with you! I usually attribute stuff like this to magic.
What exactly is the flavor or taste of vanilla extract? Somehow, a tiny drop seems to make big difference, so it's kinda miracle I can't say what it tastes like, but after I add a single drop in my mocha, it tastes like what it should, unlike before.
Any by the way, I'm new to using vanilla extract, so am not sure how much to use, and what food to add it. Beside cookies (which I don't make), drinks, what else can I use it to enhance the flavor?
Be sure to buy quality Vanilla Extract and not Imitation Vanilla Flavoring! The good/real stuff is more expensive but it is worth every cent.
I'm very lucky that my cousin makes it at home and sells/gives it to friends and family. It's surprisingly simple to make. You just take tow vanilla beans and split them in half. Drop them into a bottle of quality vodka (don't buy the cheap stuff, at least spring for Stoli or go all out and buy Grey Goose) and put it into a dark, cool space for 4-6 months, shaking it every 2-3 weeks.
I know from experience that leaving Vanilla out of a recipe that calls for it really makes a difference (and not in a good way). But a little definitely goes a long way. I don't bake a lot but there is an Apple Cake recipe that my aunt created and everyone in my family loves it. I was making it right after my cousin gave me a fresh bottle of her homemade Vanilla and decided to add a teaspoon to the cake batter and about half of a teaspoon in the glaze. I hid the cake and ate almost all of it myself over the next five days or so. I'm not proud of that...
I have vanilla salt. It is an awesome flavor enhancer. I use it in cookies. I had a chocolate bar with raw nuts that needed a boost. Delicious. Natural peanut butter. Chia seed pudding. Chocolate pudding. Ice cream. I am working on more ideas.
I hid the cake and ate almost all of it myself over the next five days or so. I'm not proud of that...
(the one I bought is the non alcoholic one by Simply Organic, $8+ for a 4oz bottle)
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I can't say what it tastes like, but after I add a single drop in my mocha, it tastes like what it should, unlike before. 
).
