Buying Vanilla in Mexico?

[JJsmama]

I know Mexico is famous for its vanilla. Is there Vanilla extract available in the immediate port areas? Did you like the extract if you bought it? Is it is good price?

Should I just get it in the Walmart across the street in PV?

 

[PrincessSophiesMom]

Sorry to hijack your post, but in addition to vanilla extract, I'd love to purchase vanilla beans. Does anyone know where we might find them?

 

[EnchantedTikiGal]

I plan on purchasing and have heard you can buy it right at the market close to the port, or in Walmart.

Here's some articles to read to familiarize yourself with what to look for, to be sure you're buying something safe for consumption.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4431997_buy-mexican-vanilla.html

http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm048613.htm

 

[Sunshineminnie]

Wow, thank you so much for the "heads up"! I had never heard of this before. I appreciate you bringing this to light!

 

[McPackers]

I have bought vanilla from Los Cinco Soles at their port store. They carry their own brand of vanillla and it says it organic and do not contain coumarin. Los Cinco Soles also has an amazing store on the main shopping street in Cozumel. I do not remember vanilla beans but I was not looking for the beans.

 

[srauchbauer]

thanks for the information Vanilla is the one thing I want to bring back for all the cooks in my family.

 

[squirrel]

I have two different bottles of Pure Vanilla. I purchased one called Orlando Pure Vanilla, which says it's organic. I asked my sister to pick me up some and she bought Mexican Vanilla.

Both bottles say they don't contain Coumarin.

 

[Merryweather11]

This thread brings back memories of the times we would visit Tijuana when I was little and my parents would bring back whole gallons of "vanilla" for pocket change. My dad could never resist a bargain--good thing we're all still alive and healthy, thinking back on the crazy things my dad would purchase at a "great deal."

 

[Shoopdeedoo]

And whatever you do, if it's over 3.5 oz, don't pack it in your carry on! Check it! My husband packed our carry on and put our newly purchased vanilla that we purchased in Cozumel in our carry on. It was confiscated, along with some hot sauces we picked up. UGH! From now on, I'm doing all the packing!

 

[melsherard]

I purchased Orlando's Clear Vanilla at a shop in the marina at Cabo. It is the best vanilla I have ever had, I re-ordered from them already

 

[disneyjunebug]

You can also find Vanilla with the beans inside. Really enhances the flavor. I'm at work, but I'll check back later tonight and give you the name that I bought.

Just remember, cheapest isn't always the best, especially with Vanilla. I've had people bring me back some once that I took one sip and just poured it down the drain.

Also, once, I bought 4 liters to bring back for myself and a couple of friends. (this was before 2001 when you could have it in your carry on). When they x-rayed my bag, they did a physical search because they had never seen anyone bring that much vanilla back before! TSA agent told me he was making sure it wasn't a bomb or liquor!

 

[PrincessSophiesMom]

You can also find Vanilla with the beans inside. Really enhances the flavor. I'm at work, but I'll check back later tonight and give you the name that I bought.

Just remember, cheapest isn't always the best, especially with Vanilla. I've had people bring me back some once that I took one sip and just poured it down the drain.

Also, once, I bought 4 liters to bring back for myself and a couple of friends. (this was before 2001 when you could have it in your carry on). When they x-rayed my bag, they did a physical search because they had never seen anyone bring that much vanilla back before! TSA agent told me he was making sure it wasn't a bomb or liquor!

Thanks OP for posting this and Thanks DisneyJunebug for a recommendation. Anxiously awaiting your follow-up! I definitely believe you get what you pay for. I tracked down a few brands for Mexican Vanilla extract via the Mexico Chowhound board, but they had no idea where to send me for vanilla beans.

 

[surfer_ed]

Where is the best place in Cozumel?

 

[jdb in AZ]

Re: Vanilla Beans. You can buy them on ebay. Or is that cheating?

Years ago we decided to bring fresh pineapple back from Hawaii. Some of it became overly ripe on the trip home, and when we got home, the fresh pineapple in the grocery store was cheaper, and fresher. ahem.

So, if you have lots of souvenir-hungry rellies expecting you to bring back vanilla, would it be cheating to buy it on ebay, have it shipped direct to your home before your cruise, and give it away when you get back?

BTW, imitation vanilla tastes totally different than the pure stuff, just as Mexican vanilla tastes totally different from the American stuff.

 

[goofymama]

Last time I went on a Disney Cruise, I bought some pure vanilla extract right off the ship in Costa Maya. I'm almost out and so happy were going to Costa Maya again to get more!

 

[MrsScooby]

This thread brings back memories of the times we would visit Tijuana when I was little and my parents would bring back whole gallons of "vanilla" for pocket change. My dad could never resist a bargain--good thing we're all still alive and healthy, thinking back on the crazy things my dad would purchase at a "great deal."

My Dad's the same way Just got a package from him with 6 containers of eggnog almonds from Trader Joes
While we never got vanilla from Tijuana, he did come back with "great deals" in leather sandals and t-shirts



Now I'm going to be looking for vanilla during our cruise in June.

Anyone know how much it goes for in Mexico??

 

[TamieH]

I had a friend pick me up some on her Western Cruise and it's called Old Fashioned Tlilxochitl Purre Natural Vanilla. It's been good. No clue if something is better, so I will be watching this thread for more tips. It's stamped that it doesn't contain Coumarin and the sticker says $100.00 for 33.8 fl oz. With the current conversion rate...this would be about $7.43 US dollars. I have no idea what she paid back then.

We are going on the Fantasy in May on the Western and hope to buy some more bottles of whatever good brand I can find. I love the Mexican vanilla and we go through a lot with baking. Anyone know weather I should buy in Cozemel or Costa Maya?

Since we will be packing in our bags, should we place in a large plastic bag "just in case"? Has anyone ever heard of leakage issues in flight?

 

[Im_A_Princess]

Where is the best place in Cozumel?

I have bought vanilla from Los Cinco Soles at their port store. They carry their own brand of vanillla and it says it organic and do not contain coumarin. Los Cinco Soles also has an amazing store on the main shopping street in Cozumel.

This is where I have bought vanilla many times.
Be wary of the "cheaper" vanilla being sold in the cheaper looking stores (if you know what I mean).
If I run out between cruises and I am at home, I buy it at Penzey's spice store. If you have one near you it is an awesome place. They sell Mexican Vanilla.

 

[disneyjunebug]

Thanks OP for posting this and Thanks DisneyJunebug for a recommendation. Anxiously awaiting your follow-up! I definitely believe you get what you pay for. I tracked down a few brands for Mexican Vanilla extract via the Mexico Chowhound board, but they had no idea where to send me for vanilla beans.

I completely forgot about it last night! I didn't get home until after 9:30 due to ballgames at school (I'm a teacher and I keep the scorebook for basketball games at my high school) and then I went basically straight to bed! I have now written in in bright orange on the back of my hand so that I will remember it!

Another thing about getting vanilla with the beans... If you want, you can "refresh" the vanilla by adding vodka to the beans and letting them sit for a few weeks. Viola, homemade vanilla extract!

 

[disneyjunebug]

Okay, Vanilla!!

The kind that I have with the beans inside is called Totonac's Pure Vanilla. 500 mL plastic bottle. Excellent quality!

I also have some D'Lis pure vanilla. It is in a 1 L plastic bottle. It's also very good, but the Totonac's is better, I think.

I go through lots of vanilla because I bake quite a lot. (I've even done a stint on the Nestle Tollhouse Baking Advisory Council.) Mexican Vanilla has a much stronger flavor than the McCormick's you might be used to buying. Some sources say to cut in 1/2 what you normally use, but I don't. I think it gives great flavor. And a little hint -- if you are making a box mix, add a little vanilla to it even if it doesn't call for it. Makes the mix taste homemade!