If you’re an avid baker, you’re familiar with vanilla extract. It enhances the flavors in recipes like cakes and cookies. It also adds a subtle sweetness to whatever you’re making.
But did you know that there are different types of vanilla? Each one has its own unique properties, too.
The best vanilla beans to use in your favorite recipes depend on your taste and what you’re baking. Read on to learn what each type has to offer.
Tahitian Vanilla
The vanilla tahitensis orchid species produces Tahitian vanilla. It’s found on the islands of Tahiti and is thought to be a natural hybrid of two other vanilla species. Tahitian vanilla is the most expensive kind available, likely due to the labor involved in growing it.
The price is worth it, though. Tahitian vanilla has a warm flavor with notes of caramel and chocolate in addition to subtle floral notes. It’s a common ingredient in fragrance products, too.
Indian Vanilla
You can find high-quality vanilla beans grown in India. They’re a popular alternative to Madagascar vanilla beans. Indian vanilla has a rich and creamy flavor with woodsy notes of chocolate and cinnamon.
You can use it in both sweet and savory recipes. You can even infuse it with coconut milk!
Mexican Vanilla
While it’s not always the most popular, Mexican vanilla is often considered the best. It’s native to and grown in the Mexican state of Veracruz and comes from the vanilla planifolia orchid. All types of vanilla can get traced back to this one.
It has a spicy, bold, and smoky flavor that works well in most baked goods and sweet bread. You can buy Mexican vanilla from globalgoods.com.
Ugandan Vanilla
If you need an earthy and sweet vanilla bean, look to Uganda. Ugandan vanilla is lesser-known, but its flavor is unmatched. It has strong notes of chocolate, making it perfect for rich and decadent desserts.
Madagascan Bourbon Vanilla
Perhaps the most beloved type of vanilla is Madagascan. Also called bourbon vanilla, it comes from the biodiverse island of Madagascar. Most of the vanilla sold commercially is based on Madagascan, so you should be familiar with it.
Madagascar vanilla packs a rich and creamy flavor in thin beans. It pairs well with fruit and ice cream.
Imitation Vanilla and Vanilla Extract
You may have seen imitation vanilla and vanilla extract on the grocery store shelves. Imitation vanilla is artificial and made from a synthetic version of a compound found in vanilla beans.
Vanilla extract, on the other hand, is made from real vanilla beans as long as the label doesn’t say “imitation.” Madagascan beans are the most commonly used. If you’d like to have the best vanilla extract, try making it yourself from scratch!
Which Types of Vanilla Will You Try?
While all types of vanilla may seem similar, they each have distinct differences that set them apart. Experiment with them in your baking recipes to experience their unique flavors. You might even find a new favorite!
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