Why does vanilla extract taste bad

Your Name. Your Email Address. Send Email. Facebook 0 Pin 0 Email 0. Artificial vanilla. Share this Article Like this article? Why does my homemade vanilla tastes like alcohol? Should homemade vanilla extract taste like alcohol? Why does vanilla extract smell good but taste bad? What does pure vanilla extract smell like? What does vanilla extract taste like on its own? More than distinct chemical compounds have been identified in true vanilla extract. Even better for some applications is a whole vanilla bean, obtainable for a few dollars in an airtight glass or plastic test tube.

The bean should have a flexible, leathery texture, rather then being dried out and hard. The warmth can cause evaporation , even if the bottle seems tightly sealed, and this can turn your vanilla extract cloudy. Still, as long as you can smell the heavenly scent of vanilla when you open the bottle it will be safe to use and should be just as effective as a non-cloudy extract.

A surprising number of people inquire about black specks in vanilla extract. But it seems to be a question more associated with black specks in vanilla-flavored foods, such as vanilla bean ice cream. Any visible pieces of anything in your vanilla extract may be a sign of cross-contamination.

They should not be in your extract. However , black specks in vanilla-flavored food items are often a sign that the item was made with pure vanilla, or vanilla bean, rather than artificial flavoring. The black specks are likely pieces of the beans or pods. Some food manufacturers add black flakes that have nothing to do with vanilla. They do this in an attempt to fool their customers into thinking its higher quality than it actually is.

Pure vanilla is made using alcohol. In fact, there is a minimum volume of alcohol required to label an extract as pure. This should fade as the extract ages, usually within a few weeks. If the smell bothers you, a great way to fix it is to add a tiny amount of sugar to your extract. If you add 1 tablespoon of sugar per half-quart of vanilla extract, it will speed the aging process and help reduce the alcohol smell faster.

The slight smell of alcohol does not mean your vanilla extract has gone bad. It means it is pure and fresh. Vanilla extract, regardless of variety, has an extremely long shelf life. As mentioned, it can, unfortunately, lose its beautiful aroma and strength of flavoring over time. Artificial or imitation vanilla extract will last between 2—4 years , depending on the brand and the specific manufacturing process. Pure vanilla extract, whether homemade or storebought, should maintain its quality for 5—10 years , depending on storage conditions.

This chart references the general best quality shelf-life for vanilla that is stored in a cool, dry location in a well-sealed bottle. Vanilla extract should always be stored in a cool, dry location. You want to be careful not to expose your extract to high temperatures or light for an extended time.