Mexican Vanilla

Pure vanilla is expensive because it is difficult to grow commercially and is tedious to process. Actually, Mexico is no longer a significant producer of vanilla--most of it now comes from Madagascar where it can be produced more economically.

Is it real?   So how do you know if it's real vanilla. If it's inexpensive, it is not real vanilla. If it's expensive it is either real vanilla or it's a tourist ripoff. Since it is expensive, it is more likely to be sold in smaller bottles. Real vanilla has an amber color. Synthetic vanilla is often darker in color. Pure Mexican vanilla, though rare, is still some of the best vanilla there is. Whole vanilla beans may also be purchased. The Mexican vanilla bean is thicker and darker than the Madagasgar bean. Look for beans that are moist, plump and tender, not shriveled and hard.

Courmarin is a product used to make a flavoring similar to vanilla. It is widely used for synthetic vanilla in Mexico. It was originally used as a rat and mouse poisin. It is toxic and can cause liver damage and cancer.

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Posa brand "pure natural" vanilla didn't even smell like vanilla. Don't buy it.

This L'Postre brand vanilla we thought was pretty good. This is an old bottle from around 1980.

We bought this La Vencedora brand vanilla at our local Mexican grocery in Leander, Texas. While the label clearly says that it's natural vanilla and lists no artificial ingredients, there is another label added to the side that lists the ingredients including artificial vanilla. I think this additional label may have been a requirement to market the product in the U.S. The label does say that it contains no courmarin.

Molina brand vanilla. I haven't opened this one yet. It also states that it contains no courmarin (an artificial vanilla/rat poison).

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The Pacific Coast of Mexico www.tomzap.com Tom Penick:  tom@tomzap.com