Question about Mexico and buying pure vanilla

[owensmomma]

Hello everyone, I have an odd question. There is somewhere in Mexico where you can buy pure vanilla. Apparently there is a limited quantity? Has anyone heard of this place while cruising? Thank you.

 

[princessmommyx3]

You may want to read this first:

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

 

[thepak92]

Hi, when we did our Magic 7 day Western Caribbean (before dream and fantasy were built) - our stop in Cozumel I believe (2010 cruise) was where we got off the ship, just walked across the street to little shops/tourist type of area, went into shops and purchased some vanilla. I don't remember the name of it but the symbol on the front of the bottle looked like that of the aztec structures... hope this helps.

 

[Jareds_mommy]

We just got back 2 weeks ago from 2 weeks puerto vallarta, and walmart was the best deal, but do real the ingredients label closely

 

[GrtWtNorth]

I bought real vanilla in 1 liter bottles in Walmart. It was cheaper than the imitation vanilla in tiny bottles in my local grocery store. And yes, it was the real stuff.

 

[Love2Cruise]

I have purchased real vanilla from Los Cinco Soles located near where the ship docks. It does not contain coumarin and is the best vanilla I have used. It is the secret ingredient in my baking and everyone asks why my cookies taste so good! Since I only get to Mexico rarely, I now purchase several bottles at a time from Los Cinco Soles online. A little pricey with the shipping, but so worth it.

 

[Jareds_mommy]

The big bottle at Walmart was 68 pesos so $6.80 Canadian

 

[TXDisGurl]

Whenever I visit my mom in Cozumel I get my vanilla in Chedraui, its a little less then in the tourist area. It's not in a pretty bottle like Los Cinco Sole but its the real deal. 6 more months and I will be calling Cozumel home!

 

[Kenny1113]

Darn! I wish I would have thought about this on our trip.

What is the difference between the pure vanilla purchased at grocery stores in US vs Mexico?

Thanks

 

[Made Up Name]

In Cozumel there is a MEGA store that is a short walk from the port, in fact we could see the store from our room, that I'm sure sells pure vanilla.

It is a cool store that is worth a quick visit.

 

[DahliaRW]

In Cozumel there is a MEGA store that is a short walk from the port, in fact we could see the store from our room, that I'm sure sells pure vanilla.

It is a cool store that is worth a quick visit.

I bought some there, and yes it was pure vanilla. I read the ingredients closely, and the label even declared that it did not contain Coumarin. I'm sure you can get it cheaper further away from the port, but if I were to pay cab fare to go elsewhere that would have cancelled out the savings.

 

[Love2Cruise]

Darn! I wish I would have thought about this on our trip. What is the difference between the pure vanilla purchased at grocery stores in US vs Mexico? Thanks

Both the flavor and aroma are distinctly different. The Mexican also appears darker in color to me.

 

[pjacobi]

I read the ingredients closely, and the label even declared that it did not contain Coumarin.

Did you actually believe the label?

It could be super premium gourmet vanilla -or- it could be poison. How can you tell? Why take the chance?

Put your Mexican vanilla in the same bag as Tanzanite, Rolex watches and other tourist trap items.

I'm sticking with FDA approved vanilla from my local grocery store. The odds are more in my favor that it is not poison.


-Paul

 

[DahliaRW]

Did you actually believe the label?

It could be super premium gourmet vanilla -or- it could be poison. How can you tell? Why take the chance?

Put your Mexican vanilla in the same bag as Tanzanite, Rolex watches and other tourist trap items.

I'm sticking with FDA approved vanilla from my local grocery store. The odds are more in my favor that it is not poison.


-Paul

Yes. It is the same vanilla sold in import stores here for a lot more $$$, which has to be approved. I never buy artificial. The ingredients are alcohol and vanilla beans, no sugar, which is hard to find here in the US (extract with no sugar). ETA here is the brand: http://molinoreal.com/english/

 

[jdb in AZ]

Darn! I wish I would have thought about this on our trip.

What is the difference between the pure vanilla purchased at grocery stores in US vs Mexico?

Thanks

The Mexican stuff just tastes better, for whatever reason. I can tell a difference in my cookies. FWIW, some brands of Mexican vanilla also taste better than others.

 

[Freesia123]

It tastes amazing!

 

[bekkio]

It's really easy to make your own vanilla extract. Buy some vanilla bean pods while in Mexico, slit them, and soak in a bottle of booze for a few months. I've used both vodka and rum with success. I prefer the rum!

 

[tinkerone]

you can't pass a shop in cozumel that doesn't sell vanilla. my suggestion is to not buy it in the little plaza you go through to get onto the street. its most expensive there. i had a sales person almost convince me to buy it at a 'really good deal' if i purchased two. i told him i would pick it up on the way back as i didn't want to carry it around with me. he wasn't happy but i'm really glad i didn't buy from him.
just by walking a few blocks down the street i saved $8 a bottle and it was the same brand he was selling. the brand is Totonac's, the label reads 'pure vanilla'. it smells amazing.

 

[ilovetexas]

Did you actually believe the label?

It could be super premium gourmet vanilla -or- it could be poison. How can you tell? Why take the chance?

Put your Mexican vanilla in the same bag as Tanzanite, Rolex watches and other tourist trap items.

I'm sticking with FDA approved vanilla from my local grocery store. The odds are more in my favor that it is not poison.


-Paul

FDA approval is a joke.

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/a...-still-using-antibiotics-on-livestock/251442/

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/22/h...das-failures-in-meningitis-outbreak.html?_r=0

http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/fda’s-biggest-blunders-1

http://www.rodalenews.com/gmo-labeling-0

http://www.medpagetoday.com/ProductAlert/OTC/22504

FWIW, I have bought vanilla in Cozumel but now make my own. Easy to make but it does take a long time and you need high quality beans.