We have been asked by some friends to purchase some real vanilla for them,and I'm at a loss as to where it can be purchased from and how much it would cost. We are on a 7 day Western Carribean out of Tampa on July 20-27-2008

Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated

Canuckcruisers

Grenada is the spice island if you're going there.

Most common place to get vanilla would be a Mexican port (Cozumel?). It should have some kind of government seal or insignia--apparently some denatured alcohol got used in vanilla several years ago and made people sick so now you are supposed to look for a government marker, not unlike looking for the 925 on Silver I would think. Don't know prices, but it is still pretty resonable compared to the spice aisle at the supermarket here.

It is probably fresher and cheaper to simply get vanilla locally at a spice shop, or on-line. Most of the stuff in the tourist areas has probably been sitting there for a while, unless it is Grenada.

But a bigger issue is this: Cooks Illustrated did a test a while back and can tell no real difference between recipes made with artificial vanilla and "real" vanilla.

quote:

Commodore

Posted June 06, 2008 10:58 AM Hide Post
It is probably fresher and cheaper to simply get vanilla locally at a spice shop, or on-line. Most of the stuff in the tourist areas has probably been sitting there for a while, unless it is Grenada.

Well its definetly not cheaper to buy it local Dave. We always pick up a bottle or two when we are in Mexico (Cozumel). You can buy it from the liquor stores or any of the market shops. Its probably freshest from the liqour stores.

But as for cost, you can get a quart of true vanilla for $9 to $12 as in the states you would pay that for an ounce of it.

In Sonora, you usually find Molina's - but you do need to check that it isn't extract. Look for Red Rooster (there is a red rooster on the label) - - it comes in light or dark... the light is nice because it doesn't color your cooking. In the north, you can find Molinas everywhere - Red Rooster usually in the pharmacias or liquor stores - and maybe a grocery store.

quote:

But as for cost, you can get a quart of true vanilla for $9 to $12 as in the states you would pay that for an ounce of it.

A bottle of vanilla lasts me a long time so the price isn't that big of a deal to me. I usually get stuff from Penzey's and their vanilla costs $10 for 4 ounces. That is made with Madagascar vanilla, considered some of the world's finest.

We go through an ounce of vanilla a month! Apparently you are not a big baker! The big bottles from Mexico are worthwhile for us, just haven't done it for awhile--don't want to put a big glass bottle in my suitcase and never know about taking a liquid, even a sealed one, on the plane if you see what I mean.

Any liquid that I am transporting from Mexico can only be consumed one shot at a time...

Just remember that any liquids carried aboard have to stay in the TSA limit of 3 ounces (actually I think it is technically 3.5 ounces), even if it is sealed. Otherwise it has to go in checked luggage - and large bottles in checked luggage will no doubt attract the attention of TSA when they inspect the luggage.

"Of course it is vanilla, officer..." "I intend to use it with the Colombian flour that is packed in my other bag."

An excerpt from the Cook's Illustrated taste test: "Contrary to all expectations, a previous tasting of vanilla extracts proved that bakers couldn't tell the difference between imitation and the real thing."

However, that was with single strength vanilla, which by law has to have 13.35 ounces of beans per gallon of solvent. Don't ask where that specific amount of vanilla beans came from.

I think they did a subsequent test using double-strength vanilla, and in that one the real stuff won.

I perfer the real stuff, it has more flavor to me. But, I also don't buy it on cruises unless we drive to the port. The money saved on vanilla does not offset the cost of replacing the clothing in th esuitcase with the broken bottle! Although you can find it in plastic bottles too I guess.

It also doesn't count against your liquor limits for customs clearance. So for the good DrLivingston, I can still bring all the shot worth consumables I am allowed too..

We always get a few bottles of REAL vanilla on our cruises...and it does make a ifference....well, according to my wife that is...and she is never wrong....My wife says we paid $5 to $6 for a 16 oz. bottle...and if you are Grenada....get some fresh nutmeg.....Happy Cruising....

Bob E

Most people have no idea what real fresh nutmeg tastes like. It is most certainly an entirely different taste from the usual pre-ground can of garbage one finds at the local Wal-Mart. I buy whole nutmeg and grate what I need.

I saw some Real Vanilla in a store near the downtown pier on Cozumel. I can't recall the name of it. It is the biggest store in that area with a wide variety of merchandise.

Dwayne

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Beers:
I buy whole nutmeg and grate what I need.

I try to buy as many spices and herbs that I can in their natural form and crush/mince/chop/dice/grind/bruise(as in stems of parsley and cilantro) only as is necessary. Of course spices have a much greater shelf life than most herbs, it is still amazing at the difference that fresh ingredients make in a recipe.

Howdy,

A word from experience...Just make sure it is real vanilla. I accidently bought a bottle of "Vanillan" which is total artificial garbage.

Good luck,

Brad

I don't do much baking, other than my Christmas rum cake. I mentioned this to my mom yesterday though, and now she wants some too!

Dwayne