With more and more of us looking to add vanilla to our recipes, deciding to use vanilla beans or vanilla extract is an important decision.
If you’re thinking of using an authentic vanilla extract, this can be a tough decision. If you’re pondering using a synthetic extract, it’s a lot easier. Synthetic vanilla is poorer in quality, and will taste nowhere near as good as either vanilla beans or pure vanilla extract. So don’t. When it comes to choosing between real extract and beans, well…
Why Use Vanilla Beans?
Of course, vanilla beans represent the best method of adding flavor to your dishes. This is vanilla in its purest form and as such tastes, and smells, better than anything else. Well, almost.
Beans are extremely versatile and can be used in their raw form or altered to make authentic vanilla extract, powder, and paste, each of which is incredibly useful when it comes to cooking and baking.
If there’s a downside to beans it’s that they can be quite finicky, meaning that the time it takes to prepare food is extended. Still, for those that have the time available, it’s an excellent use of time.
Why Use Vanilla Extract?
We said above that nothing else tastes and smells better than vanilla beans. Well, this isn’t strictly true. Authentic vanilla extract, directly derived from beans, also tastes and smells like vanilla beans. Because a scentless alcohol is used to create the extract, it maintains the original smell.
Pure vanilla extract can be more convenient than beans as it is stored in a jar or bottle, and only requires a few drops adding to a menu. It doesn’t have the fun factor of using beans though.
And the Winner Is…
How long do you have? Basically vanilla beans and pure vanilla extract are equally as useful and tasty, the only difference being the time required to add them to your dish.

