Raw Vanilla Extract

[SamuelWilson]

I am trying to find raw vanilla extract, however, I do not consume alcohol of any kind. Does anyone know where I can buy raw vanilla beans online?

Also, does anyone know how I can get vanilla bean flavor from raw vanilla beans? Maybe dehydrate them and then use a mortal and pestol to make powder? Any suggestions?

I just want the raw vanilla extract to add vanilla flavor to my almond milk.

[flyinion]

I can't remember the post offhand but just yesterday I think it was Rawpriestess posted a link to where she buys her raw nuts and other items like that and they had vanilla beans there. I think it was the Oregon Almonds post but not sure.

EDIT: Ok right person wrong topic it was about cold pressed oils lol, anyway here it is http://www.livingtreecommunity.com

[maydolphin10]

hi, theres someone on ebay called organicvanilla that sells whole vanilla beans. you can ask if they are raw. i saw one sell for $13/lb once! and they usually are like $50 or something expensive. and as for flavoring your almond milk, just put the vanilla beans in with the almonds when blending

[SamuelWilson]

Any suggestion on obtaining vanilla flavor from vanilla beans?

I was told to take a piece of the vanilla bean and put it in the blender with the rest of my ingredients in my raw dishes, like almond milk, etc..

Any suggestions are welcome.

[shakti17]

when i used vanilla beans i opened the pods and removed the inside stuff - sort of moist dark and grainy. i used only the inside part - am i wasting precious vanilla pods?

[rawpriestess]

Technically, you slice open the pod, and scrape out the gooey seeds, if it is a fresh bean, the inside will by sticky like tar, this is the part you use.

But, if you are frugal, and making something in a Vita Mix, then you can use the whole bean, or just cut off a piece and toss it in.

I use the ration, 1 tsp vanilla extract equal 1 inch of vanilla bean.

You can also make your own vanilla, too. The way they make it in Mexico, is 1 bean makes about 50 gallons of vanilla extract, they infuse it, by steaming and using alcohol.

You can easily make about 1 gallon of vanilla extract by placing the opened vanilla pod into 1 gallon of vodka, or any alcohol.

I don't use alcohol or drink, so I just don't do this. But this is how it is done in the cooking schools, I went to, before raw.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Take heed when blending the pod - as it can tend to be hard and then you'll end up with a hard piece in your smoothie. If you can't scrape the seeds out, consider grinding it up in your coffee grinder.

[lady godiva]

here is a menu from a SF restaurant that gave me lots of good ideas:
http://www.withthecurrent.com/menu.html

Also, thanx a zillion to whomever put the eggplant bacon recipe on here, it ROCKS!

[rawgrrl]

Rhio talks all about vanilla beans and extract at the bottom of her glossary (http://www.rawfoodinfo.com/recipes/glossary.html).

[truthseeker]

Right now I am using Organic, alcohol free vanilla extract by Frontier. It contains glycerin,vanilla bean extractives and water. I do also use vanilla beans now and then, when I want the dish to be of it's highest vibration and energy. It's just SSOO expensive for me.

[Autumn]

Ummmmm, does this mean that vanilla extract you buy at the store has alcohol in it? I never knew that! :o I don't drink alcohol either, but I have used the extract from time to time. Sheesh, I'm a dummy! :rolleyes:

[SamuelWilson]

The number one selling brand of extract that is in most SAD kitchen cabinets is McCormick and the ingredients are as listed below.

INGREDIENTS: VANILLA BEAN EXTRACTIVES IN WATER, ALCOHOL (35%), AND CORN SYRUP.

Can someone tell me the web address of the online store is that sells the vanilla extract without alcohol. I have found a few selling the Frontier brand, but when I read the ingredients, it still says alcohol. I have no problem with the price, I just want the alcohol free stuff. I do not consume alcohol or even take as much as an aspirin for that matter, I am very strict about this.

[mandarin honey]

The number one selling brand of extract that is in most SAD kitchen cabinets is McCormick and the ingredients are as listed below.

INGREDIENTS: VANILLA BEAN EXTRACTIVES IN WATER, ALCOHOL (35%), AND CORN SYRUP.

Can someone tell me the web address of the online store is that sells the vanilla extract without alcohol. I have found a few selling the Frontier brand, but when I read the ingredients, it still says alcohol. I have no problem with the price, I just want the alcohol free stuff. I do not consume alcohol or even take as much as an aspirin for that matter, I am very strict about this.

I also use Frontier. I buy it from Whole Foods but you can also buy it from Frontier's site at http://www.frontiercoop.com/dspCatPct.php?ct=ssbfbf&x=17 . The alcohol free is the vanilla flavor not the extract. The extract has alcohol in it.

[SamuelWilson]

mandarin honey, I found it. Here is the exact ingredient list of the Frontier Vanilla Flavor (not extract) in case anyone wants to know.

Ingredients: Glycerin, certified organic vanilla bean extractives and water.

I went ahead and bought a 16 fl oz bottle for $39.65 which is a good price. That works out to $4.96 per every 2 oz.

[SamuelWilson]

I just sent an email out to Frontier to make sure their glycerin is obtained from a vegetable source and not an animal source. I will let you know the response I receive for any vegans who may read this post. I also inquired to make sure that even if it is obtained from a vegetable source, that the glycerin has never experienced heat above 118.

[RawYogini]

They have whole Vanilla Beans, VB Extract and Vanilla Bean, Pure Ground Coarse Powder. There website is http://www.herbspicetea.com

I found out about them through Hulda Clark's book " Cure for All Diseases." I placed my first order with them recently - haven't received it yet so I can't testify for or against this company yet.

[SamuelWilson]

Hello everyone, I just received the email back from Frontier in regards to the glycerin in their vanilla flavor. Here is a copy of the message...

{Hi Samuel,
{
{Thank you for your interest in Frontier. The Glycerin used in our natural
{flavors is an all-natural vegetable glycerin that is derived from 100%
{plant sources, primarily palm kernal oil.
{
{Thanks for visiting our web site!
{
{Frontier Customer Care

So I know that it is vegan. Here is the problem, notice they say "primarily" palm kernel oil. The word "primarily" means they use other oils on occasion. So there is no way to guarantee that the oil in the vanilla flavor is raw. It may be an oil that has been expeller pressed. I have another email out to them asking if the palm kernel oil is cold pressed.

[rawpriestess]

As a Rawfoodist, it is important to me that my food be 100% raw, however, I do pick my battles, since I can obtain vanilla beans, and simply scrape them, I do that.

I also, in a pinch have used the vanilla extract from Frontier, but let's just look at it this way, the MOST I would use in an entire recipe, say a raw cake, would be 1 tsp or so, the cake may make 8 pieces, so I am getting 1/8 of a tsp of the vanilla extract, which may or may not have a little bit of glycerin from a non-raw source. I say "so what?"

I use a tad of Dijon Mustard too, Rhio says, "so what" she says it adds so much in flavor, and the tiny bit of non-raw in it, just isn't worth the trouble.

I agree.

But, if it is important to you, then good luck in finding the information.

[SamuelWilson]

rawpriestess, I agree that it is an insignificant amount of non-raw oil, if any, in the Frontier Vanilla Flavor. I am just curious and I like to post the information here for anyone who is interested. If you use Frontier Vanilla Flavor and it contained a small amount of expeller pressed oil of some sort, you would still be raw. Like you said, it adds a lot of flavor and only the possibility of a small amount of oil that may or may not have been heated.

[rawpriestess]

SamualWilson,

Well, that makes sense, it is good to have all the information, so that you can make a knowledgable decision.

Thanks for doing such great research, and taking the time to post it all here. We sure appreciate you. :o)

[SamuelWilson]

Hello everyone, I just received the email back from Frontier in regards to whether the palm kernel oil was cold pressed. Here is the response from Frontier...

{Hello Mr. Wilson,
{
{Our glycerin actually comes from a number of different vegetable sources,
{mostly tropical, and primarily palm kernel. The glycerin is a by-product of
{the removal of essential fatty acids from the oils, thus, they are not
{cold-pressed.
{
{Thanks,
{Frontier Customer Care

[SamuelWilson]

I just wanted to add that I now take a vanilla bean or piece of a vanilla bean and blend it until smooth in a small amount of water or liquid from a recipe I am making, like almond milk for example. I then strain it through a paper towel so that I can get 100% organic raw vanilla flavor. I keep my vanilla beans in a vacuum pack.

[Sharon in Colorado]

It sounds like plain old vanilla in alcohol isn't so bad after reading that letter you got. I always request a big glass bottle of it everytime my mother goes on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. I can't stand the Schilling-McCormick one - it has a funny taste to me.

[SamuelWilson]

Ok, I have received my Frontier Alcohol Free Vanilla Flavor. The ingredients are as follows...

Ingredients: Glycerin, certified organic vanilla bean extractives, water.

I have received an email from Frontier informing me that the Glycerin is a by-product of the removal of essential fatty acids from the oils, thus, they are not cold-pressed.

This product is however, the closest thing to 100% organic vanilla you can get, aside from actually purchasing raw vanilla bean pods.

The question I have is this. Would this product still be considered raw? Kind of like Bragg's Liquid Aminos is considered raw? Is it one of those exceptions to the rules?

I now blend whole vanilla bean pods and strain off the vanilla to ensure I get 100% pure organic vanilla. However, it is not the same. The flavor is dull in comparison. The Frontier Alcohol Free Vanilla Flavor has a much stronger vanilla flavor in comparison to my home made vanilla flavor.

I just want some support, because I really would like to use the Frontier Alcohol Free Vanilla Flavor. I want to be a good raw foodist at the same time though.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Well, no, it wouldn't be considered 100% raw but that's not to say it is going to harm you during your transition. It is definately a processed product.

You have to make that choice - since you are preparing and seasoning your food with products that have been prepared in a factory, just be aware of it and sooner or later your body will signal to you when it wants to be more pure.

[SamuelWilson]

Sharon in Colorado, if you say it is not pure, then I don't want to use it. I guess I really liked it and thought I could use it to add vanilla flavor to my nut milks. I will throw it away.

[Punky]

Sharon in Colorado, if you say it is not pure, then I don't want to use it. I guess I really liked it and thought I could use it to add vanilla flavor to my nut milks. I will throw it away.

My logic runs with what Raw Priestess said.
I wouldn't sweat it since you really don't use very much of it.
In the big scheme of things, does it help you to stay raw to use a tiny
bit in you almond milk? But you have to decide that for yourself.
And over time you might not need as much of it for flavoring as your tastes change. If you choose to not use it, why not give it to a friend instead
of throwing it in the trash? Either decision you make will be the right one for
you.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Sharon in Colorado, if you say it is not pure, then I don't want to use it. I guess I really liked it and thought I could use it to add vanilla flavor to my nut milks. I will throw it away.

Okay I did write that it isn't 100% raw, which was your question, correct? I also mentioned that it should be fine to use during your transition and it certainly isn't going to harm you.

I agree with Punky - if you really don't want to use it, you should give it to someone. Please don't throw it out if someone else could use it.

Also please know that when some people start off 100% pure raw they feel deprived and go off the diet. However there are people who can do it 100% from the start. I don't know which category you fit into.

In any event, just make sure you are able to stick with raw, whether you need to use a little of this and that for seasoning or not.

Again, I was simply answering your question that it wasn't really 100% raw. You can still be a raw foodist if you use it since everything else you are using is raw.

[lady godiva]

to all those of you who use vanilla beans: that sounds so wonderful but here in Norman, Oklahoma, vanilla beans come in a spice jar and are $10 a pop!!! Is that what all o' y'all are payin'???? - Hil

[SamuelWilson]

Here is a picture of the vanilla beans that I purchased. I blend them in a blender and then strain to obtain vanilla flavor.

[rawpriestess]

I pay $2.50 USD for a fresh vanilla bean, I buy them from an importer directly from Mexico, so that is what I pay for one bean.

I usually buy about 10 beans at a time, however I do use the Frontier vanilla flavor too. if I don't have the fresh beans.

But it is all a personal preference. If I am making a raw potluck thing, I will only use the fresh beans, and NOT the flavor, I keep the flavor on hand, in case I can't get the beans in time as sometimes, I have to wait a month of two to get them.

They are from orchids, and aren't always in season, but when I get them they are fresh, and plump and bursting with scent, mmmmmmmmmm fresh vanilla, one of my favorite scents, and tastes. mmmmmmmmmmm I'm gonna' go make a vanilla nut milkshake this is too much to bear. LOL

[RawFoodieMom]

Samuel, vanilla flavour is such an insignificant amount in anything you are going to prepare with it, I would still consider you a die-hard raw foodist even if you used a tsp of vanilla flavour every once in a while. :D There is only SO strict you can be without driving yourself absolutely batty. :)
But they never did answer your question about whether or not they use heat in preparing this product, did they? The just talked about oil... But it seems to me in the first letter you got from them they never answered your question about heat... Do they heat the product at all? Besides the fact that the oil is not cold-pressed?

Debra

[SamuelWilson]

RawFoodieMom, from what I can tell, they do not heat the product. It just contains oils that have experienced some heat during processing. There may be batches of the stuff that are raw, but there would be no guarantee. I guess you are right though, it is only just a drop every now and then to flavor things like almond milk, etc.. I will keep it for the time being while I make a decision on it.

[rawgrrl]

I don't remember where I got this source (http://stores.ebay.com/The-Organic-Vanilla-Bean-Company) for vanilla beans. From what I've been able to read, it seems to be raw, but I'm not 100% certain.

[SamuelWilson]

http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/organicvanilla/Vanilla3.jpg

[RawJen]

I pay $2.50 USD for a fresh vanilla bean, I buy them from an importer directly from Mexico, so that is what I pay for one bean.

rawpriestess, please tell us how to order vanilla bean through the importer you use. Do they have a web site?

[SamuelWilson]

RawJen, I buy the vanilla beans from a company that gets them from Papua New Guinea. They have a store on ebay. Their ebay seller name is organic-vanilla

I hope this helps.

[RawJen]

[QUOTE=SamuelWilson]I buy the vanilla beans from a company that gets them from Papua New Guinea. They have a store on ebay. Their ebay seller name is organic-vanilla[QUOTE]

Thanks, SamuelWilson. Do you do better than rawpriestess's $2.50/bean?

[RawFoodieMom]

SamuelWilson, I checked the eBay seller you mentioned, and looked at auctions already ended, and a lot of their auctions, for like 60 beans, 6-7" long, sold for $15.00... how can that be??? 60 beans (quarter pound) for $15.00?? Seems awfully cheap, how can they make any money?? LOL

Debra

[SamuelWilson]

RawFoodieMom, you are buying direct. I mean I have the vanilla beans, they are the real deal. Strong vanilla scent was obvious even before I opened the package. I would say that they are probably not selling the beans in compliance with their respective country. Another words, all produce has to go through certain channel for inspection, they are more than likely bypassing this channel. Kind of like knowing someone there and them personally mailing you some vanilla beans, accept that the person has just decided to offer them via Ebay. Just a hunch though, but this would be a good educated guess.

You can also view the seller's ebay feedback. They have quite a few satisfied customers. I was happy with my order. At those prices, you don't have much to lose.