Vanilla Bean Paste

[GA Home Cook]

Has anyone used Vanilla Bean Paste? Any reason to use this above Vanilla Extract?

I have never used Vanilla Bean Pods, as they seem expensive. But I wondered if this would boost up Vanilla Ice Cream?

 

[Andy M.]

I've never used it but it's interchangeable with extract. I believe it has the v. bean seeds in it. That may be desirable in ice cream.

 

[GotGarlic]

Sorry, I've never used vanilla paste

Have you ever made your own vanilla extract? It's well worth it, imo. I bought a vanilla infusion kit for about $8. It included a pretty bottle and three vanilla pods. I added inexpensive vodka and have been using it for two and a half years.

 

[Silversage]

Has anyone used Vanilla Bean Paste? Any reason to use this above Vanilla Extract?

I have never used Vanilla Bean Pods, as they seem expensive. But I wondered if this would boost up Vanilla Ice Cream?

Read the label. MOST (notice I didn't say all), vanilla bean paste is primarily glycerin and sugar/corn syrup with some vanilla & beans added. The sugar actually enhances the flavor of the vanilla, (kind of like salt enhances flavors of savory dishes), so you think it's more 'vanilla-y'. You would be better off using regular extract or whole beans.

Like GG, I make my own extract. I buy beans in bulk so they're not very expensive. I buy from Vanilla Products, USA, but there are other places. Do a Google search.

 

[blissful]

I found good vanilla beans on ebay (instead of Amazon), 15 small beans in 2 quarts of vodka, cut them up (that is important). I have enough to overuse vanilla for least 3 years. (I tried it with whole beans first--but the flavor and color took a long time to do anything to give the taste of vanilla. Once I cut them up, voila, good taste.)

 

[GotGarlic]

Yes, I split them down the middle, scraped the seeds out, cut the pods into thirds and put everything in the bottle with the vodka. It was ready in about three months.

 

[Dawgluver]

I got a massive bag of vanilla beans for very cheap a couple years ago, thanks to the recommendation of one of our members. I split a couple and stuck them in a small bottle with vodka. Very nice!