Jen500 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Why do some of them have sugar or corn syrup in the ingredients list? Even within the same brand, I noticed the added ingredient varied with the size of the bottle. (Trying to gather good ingredients to make ice cream) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Why not just use vanilla beans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 (edited) I don't know - my Kirkland (Costco) bottle says "Vanilla Bean Extractives in Water, Alcohol (35%) and Sugar." It's also GF. ETA: it says it's blended to 2000 PPM natural vanillin. FWIW. Edited June 13, 2011 by wapiti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 Why not just use vanilla beans? I'm not sure if my grocery store carries them, but a good idea! I was just more curious as to why some bottles have added sweetener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missiemick Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I was shocked to discover the same thing a few weeks ago. I ended up reading the list of every bottle on the store shelves -- there are some available without the extra ingredients (sugar) but not many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracieT Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I just pulled out my bottle from Sam's that is Tone's brand. It's "Vanilla bean extractives in water, alcohol (35%)" Makes me wonder if I've bought stuff with sugar or corn syrup before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wabi Sabi Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Last year I made 2 gallons of vanilla extract, bottled it and gave it away for Christmas gifts. It's super easy: split a bunch of vanilla beans, put them in a bottle of vodka, place the bottle in a cool dark place and forget about it for 2-3 months. Vodka and vanilla beans are the only ingredients. If you want to make your own it's easy to find various directions with a little more detail online. Oh, and you can order vanilla beans on eBay for shockingly cheap. Don't go to the grocery store and pay $3 for one bean! I think I got 2 lbs. of beans (probably 200 of them!) for about $30-$40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 This might help, from http://www.vanilla.com/index.php/Tropical-Foods/Vanilla/vanilla-extract-an-insiders-view.html: The extract may also contain sugar, corn syrup, caramel color or stabilizers. All additives should be on the label, but they often aren't. Also, the FDA doesn't require that the percentage of additives be listed. As vanilla is naturally slightly sweet, it isn't necessary to add sweeteners. Some manufacturers use no sugar, some use 3 - 5% sugar as a stabilizer, and some companies use 20% or more sugar or corn syrup in their extracts. Extract made with sugar cane alcohol can smell harsh, so a small amount of sugar helps to soften the aroma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostSurprise Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Many common brands have some kind of sweetener. My son can't have them so we go to a whole foods store and get an organic type there (no sugar..just vanilla bean and alcohol). Sam's Club also has a bulk vanilla with no sweetener in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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