How can you tell good vanilla?

You have been waiting for a year. Your extract is dark and rich looking. You believe it is time to use it, but how can you be sure? Here are a few tips to taste test your extract that are effective, simple and fun!

See It

You can learn a lot just by looking at your extract. Visually, is it a dark, amber color? If it was made with a light spirit (like a vodka or a white rum) you will be able to see through it when you hold it up to a light source. It should be a beautiful amber color. If you used a dark spirit like the image above that was made from bourbon, it will be much darker and you may not be able to see through it. 

Smell It

Remember, the number 1 ingredient in vanilla extract is alcohol. #2 is vanilla beans. You will always smell some alcohol in your extract. However, the smell of a finished extract is usually vanilla first and spirit second. Also remember that no two noses are the same. Someone may smell more vanilla than alcohol, while someone else may smell more alcohol than vanilla. In our experience, a rich, finished extract smells of vanilla first and your spirit second. 

Taste It

This is the fun part. There are many ways to taste test your extracts. You can use these methods to determine whether or not your extracts are ready. Or, you can also use these methods to host a taste testing party with friends to compare different extracts, like a Tahiti Vodka vs. a Mexican Rum. 

The simple taste test method for speed and ease is to simply dip your finger into the finished extract and take a quick taste. This method is convenient but requires an experienced palate because your extract is highly concentrated. The initial taste should be strong and the dominate taste should be vanilla first, alcohol second. 

Extracts need a medium to soften the taste given their high concentration. (Similar to drinking snow cone syrup directly, vs. over the ice of the cone.) Also, you don't want the taste of the medium to overpower the taste of the extract. This makes milk and whip cream two great mediums for extract tasting. We will talk about milk, but whip cream can be used in a similar way. 

Using a small glass (a shot glass is perfect), place 2-3 drops of your extract at the bottom of the glass. Then, add 2 tablespoons of milk (whatever milk is in your fridge) to the shot glass. Stir and let sit for 3-5 minutes. 

Now you're ready to take a sip of your milk (or whip cream)/extract blend. The fat from the dairy-based medium will help the taste of the extract stick to the palate for an extended period of time so the taste can really come through. 

You should taste the sweetness of the vanilla first. The taste of the spirit might present itself at the end on the back of your palate. If you used bourbon, you should taste the subtle smokiness of the bourbon. If you used rum, you may notice additional sweetness. Vodka should be nearly tasteless. 

Every palate is different. If you like what you taste, you're ready. If you want added sweetness, toss in another bean and wait another month. Typically, rums and vodkas are ready a little sooner than bourbons, but it's 100% up to you. 

Here is a video of us conducing the milk shot-glass taste test:

Have fun! Make a party out of it. Compare different extracts with your friends. Try to find words to describe what you are tasting and learn together what you do and don't like. 

Visit our comprehensive extract-making guide center for more essential extract making tips and ongoing education.  

How many times have you stood in the baking aisle of the supermarket, unsure of which vanilla format to choose for your recipe? Don’t worry – we’ve all been there! Our handy guide to choosing the right vanilla ensures you’ve got the right product for two reasons:

• Delivering a true, strong vanilla flavour to your baking and desserts
• Balancing and highlighting the other flavours in your baking or dessert, chocolate, fruit or spices.

Should I choose Vanilla Extract, Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Pods?

Consistency and intensity are the most important things when considering a vanilla format – extract, paste or pods.

For recipes that include a lot of liquid:

These recipes can easily use vanilla extract or paste, as the small amount of liquid doesn’t change the final result. We love vanilla extract in cakes, cupcakes, pancakes, even smoothies and sauces to give a supporting vanilla flavour, or vanilla bean paste for a strong, distinct vanilla flavour.

For recipes that contain a lot of fat:

As the fat in ingredients coats the inside of your mouth, a stronger vanilla is often needed to deliver an amazing vanilla flavour. For fudges and cream-based desserts, concentrated vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste are the best for a strong vanilla flavour that lingers beautifully.

For recipes that contain very little water:

A vanilla with less water content, such as vanilla bean paste or concentrated extract is ideal for recipes such as biscuits, meringues and firmer icings. This will ensure the texture of your final recipe isn’t compromised. Who wants running icing or deflated macarons – not us that’s for sure!

All our products have specific characteristics that make them perfect for each recipe you bring to life:

Queen Organic Vanilla Extract

Made in the style of our first vanilla 120 years ago, this is our classic vanilla extract.

USE: Versatile for most recipes, especially in everyday cakes, slices and batter-based recipes, where a small amount of liquid won’t change the final result.

Queen Natural Vanilla Extract

Made with pure vanilla beans, this low alcohol vanilla extract has a sweet, syrupy consistency.

USE: Ideal in no-bake recipes such as icings, drinks and chilled desserts as well as baked goods – cakes, slices and biscuits.

Queen Concentrated Vanilla Extract

Made with pure vanilla beans, this vanilla has been concentrated to create a thick, syrupy consistency.

USE: Most recipes, especially in recipes where you don’t want to add too much liquid, such as biscuits, meringues, and sponge cakes.

Queen Organic Vanilla Pods

These pure, single origin vanilla bean pods are from Papua New Guinea, a region prized for producing vanilla that has an incredibly aromatic flavour profile with hints of anise and cherry.

USE: Ideal for creamy desserts, infusing custards, syrups and cream.

Queen Organic Vanilla Bean Paste

This vanilla is made with pure vanilla beans with no other flavours added, giving a strong, pure vanilla flavour with attractive vanilla bean seeds.

USE: Ideal in high fat recipes such as cheesecake, custard and whipped cream as well as low liquid or delicate recipes such as meringue, sponges and mousse.

Queen Madagascan Vanilla Bean Paste

This premium, single origin vanilla bean paste is made with prized Madagascan vanilla beans. It can be used in the same way as our Organic Vanilla Bean Paste.

USE: Ideal high fat, cream recipes that allow the unique profile of this prized vanilla to shine through.

Queen Fairtrade Vanilla Extract with Seeds

We are committed to the ethical sourcing of vanilla & the long term viability of the vanilla industry. By buying vanilla extract, you are helping to support hundreds of vanilla growers in some of the most remote parts of the world.

USE: This extract gives a classic vanilla flavour to everyday cakes, slices and batter-based recipes as well as the attractive appearance of vanilla bean seeds.

Queen Single Origin Vanilla Extract

This vanilla extract exhibits the rich, sweet and slightly woody vanilla flavour signature to Madagascar, one of the world’s finest vanilla growing regions.

USE: Great in most recipes, but is best in creamy recipes such as custards, whipped cream or ice cream that allow the prized Madagascan flavour to shine.

Queen Master Blend Pure Vanilla Extract

We have blended this beautiful vanilla extract, inspired by the original Queen Vanilla you’ve grown up with. Heady and fragrant, this vanilla extract combines the spice and floral notes of Tahitian vanilla, together with wood and chocolate from prized Madagascan beans.

USE: Worthy of your very best baking, this extract is ideal in most recipes, but especially in those extra special family favourites where this full bodied vanilla can shine.

Queen Victoria Concentrated Vanilla Extract

Queen Victoria Concentrated Vanilla Extract with Seeds has a thick and syrupy consistency with beautiful vanilla seeds speckled throughout. Pure vanilla beans sourced from the finest growing regions in the world, have been master blended to create a vanilla extract worthy of bearing this great monarch.

USE: Perfect for your most special bakes. Royal by name, royal strength by nature.

And lastly, a few FAQ’s about Queen Vanilla:

What’s the difference between Essence and Extract?

We’re so glad you asked! It’s a frequently asked question so we made a full blog post about it. Naturally we can only describe the difference between a Queen Vanilla Essence and a Queen Vanilla Extract, but we hope you’re pleasantly surprised and reassured that they’re both natural and deliver intense flavour.

What’s the deal with Imitation Vanilla?

We do also have ‘Imitation Vanilla Essence’ which contains absolutely no natural vanilla. We offer this product as a budget option but the flavour and aroma is very different to pure, natural vanilla. Many people tell us they love using it to freshen their fridge or add to homemade cleaning sprays.

And for the real vanilla lovers…

Have you tried our single origin vanilla? Our single origin range allow you to discover the subtleties of the great vanilla growing regions in the world. While perfect for all baking applications, the true flavour of these single origin extracts and paste is most enjoyable in recipes where the unique flavour profiles can shine through, such as panna cotta, crème brulee, mousse and even savoury sauces. Read more about what makes single origin vanilla so special.

More information about each Queen Vanilla can be found in the products section of our website, but if this is all the info you need, why not jump on over to our Vanilla recipes collection and start planning your next bake off!

For monthly recipe inspiration delivered straight to your inbox, along with product information, competitions and special offers, be sure to join our Queen Baking Club.

How can you tell the quality of vanilla?

What is the best type of vanilla to buy?

What is the difference between Grade A and Grade B vanilla?

Does expensive vanilla make a difference?