Emily Chan
How can you tell the difference between real and fake vanilla? When you’re shopping for pure vanilla extract, make sure to check the list of ingredients. It should contain nothing more than vanilla beans, alcohol, and water.
You can also distinguish between real and fake vanilla extract by using them in ice cream. True extract will appear thicker and darker in color. Additionally, it will be speckled with seed fragments.
Imitation vanilla is not a bad thing. For one, it’s the more economical and environmentally friendly choice. The consumer demand for vanilla is high, with every American consuming a little over two vanilla beans per year. It may not seem like much, but it adds up.
Synthetic vanillin helps make up for crops that become destroyed in storms. And what’s more, tons of recipes, such as confetti cake, depend on imitation vanilla to give it a strong flavor!
