vanilla extract raw?

[lydias]

Just wondering if vanilla extract without alcohol is raw or not? Or if there is one or any substitutes?

[Veganforlife]

Rule of thumb? When in doubt (if it doesn't state it on the packaging anywhere), either call or e-mail the company to find out.

[Nimmanu]

No. Vanilla extract with alcohol is raw, it's the alcohol that draws the vanilla flavoring out of the beans. The process of fermenting is what makes the flavor so strong and "condenses it."

Without that, you must grind the beans and then cook the grindings in water until most of the water is gone and it has concentrated.

[Apasaraw]

For subs:

Agave syrup has a vanilla taste to it...

If you have a vanilla bean you can make your own...

Add a piece to the agave syrup or date syrup you make yourself (dates,water and blender) and let sit awhile.

I'd call Penzey's and ask about their vanilla beans...they really have good quality, are friendly and take pride in their business. They know where their stuff comes from. They'd know if their things are raw...

http://www.penzeys.com/

[Veganforlife]

No. Vanilla extract with alcohol is raw, it's the alcohol that draws the vanilla flavoring out of the beans. The process of fermenting is what makes the flavor so strong and "condenses it."

Without that, you must grind the beans and then cook the grindings in water until most of the water is gone and it has concentrated.

Okay, then how come so many raw recipes call for alcohol-free vanilla?

[Nimmanu]

Okay, then how come so many raw recipes call for alcohol-free vanilla?
I don't know. I know of no other way to make it. I'd love to learn of another way it's made!

[RawVee]

Just wondering if vanilla extract without alcohol is raw or not? Or if there is one or any substitutes?

Lydias,

Try http://www.livingtreecommunity.com. They have vanilla powder, seeds, etc. I use Vanilla extract without alcohol, but I'm not certain it's totally raw.

V

[rawpriestess]

vanilla extract is not raw, it has alcolhol in it,


you can get natural vanillin from Frontier seasonings, that I believe is raw, but trust me on this, there is nothing as deliciously decadant as natural vanilla bean seeds scraped fresh from the bean, I use about 1/2 a bean each day, sometimes more. mmmmmmmmmm

they are scrumptious.

however, you can make your own vanila extract, take any alcohol, (I'm not sure how you would find that raw though) and add 5 beans to each gallon, let them sit about 3 months, voila' vanilla extract

or you could take the seeds or a bean and Vita Mix it in some carrier, either water, raw alcohol or oil when you Vita Mix it, it will blend much faster, but personally, I just use the bean. YUMMY!

[JGex]

Somehow I believe that the amount of VE used is so negligible that I'm just not going to concern myself with whether it's raw or not. I use Frontier organic and organic is just about as far as I want to worry with an occasional flavoring.