Questions regarding buying Mexican vanilla in Cozumel

[thecooley]

I searched the boards and found a couple of really old threads on this topic, but they were not quite what I'm looking for.

I understand that the ultra-cheap vanilla sold in Mexico is likely to contain coumarin because it is made from tonka beans instead of vanilla beans. In fact, it seems that most of the vanilla available to tourists is synthetic in some way, but not necessarily made with coumarin.

The trouble is, labeling laws are not necessarily enforced the way they are here in the US. So it's hard to know if something labeled "coumarin free" is truly safe. I found a picture on Ebay of Posa "pure natural" vanilla (which is considered one of the safe ones) on which the ingredients are listed in Spanish and English. Here's the Spanish version (translated to English): vanilla bean extractives, water, alcohol, propylene glycol, natural coloring, and 0.1% potassium sorbate as a preservative. The English version: vanilla extractives, water, and alcohol. Big difference!! Really makes you wonder what the shadier types are leaving out!

My parents brought me back a bottle of Danncy clear "pure vanilla", which smells fabulous and tastes great in decorator frosting. The flavor is so unique compared to commercial frostings (which come from a bucket - I asked the lady at Costco one time). I know it's not real vanilla extract, because it's clear, but I'm ok with that as long as I'm not poisoning people with it.

I wouldn't mind buying a nice, middle-of-the-road blend that contains some real Mexican vanilla mixed in with the artificial flavoring. You can buy McCormick's vanilla flavoring here in the US that is completely artificial, so I know it's possible to make it without dangerous chemicals. It would be really nice to buy an actual pure Mexican vanilla extract, but I'm afraid that might break the bank!

I have several questions:

• Which brands are considered safe, and which ones are definitely to be avoided?
• Has anyone had personal experience with certain brands? Any standouts as far as flavor/color/smell (good or bad)?
• Where in Cozumel should I purchase vanilla? I've never been to Cozumel, so specific details would be great.
• What sort of prices should I expect? Is this something that should be haggled?

Apologies for the novel! I would love to hear about your experiences (or adventures) in vanilla buying.

 

[luvdmouse57]

I am hoping that someone gives you a good answer on this one because I need to know also. I didn't know that there was so much to watch for when buying vanilla. I've been asked to pick some up when we go on our cruise for a friend that bakes wedding cakes & she tell me anything other than to get some for her.

Karla in Kansas

 

[Joy2theWorld]

I wish I could help as to which is the best to buy. We bought some when we were there, but I'm not sure what kind it was. We did however, find a grocery store and purchased it there. The same bottles were sooo much cheaper than at the souvenier stores. If you get to the port and take the main road to the right there is a grocery store just a few blocks down on the left. Our server recommended we go there.

 

[Toddymae]

A common misconception exists about Mexican and Caribbean vanilla. People rave to me about the fabulous deal they got on a giant bottle of vanilla extract in Mexico, Haiti, Guadeloupe, etc. Further, it has such a unique flavor and it's stronger than any vanilla they've ever used. Well, sorry folks, it isn't pure vanilla extract. In fact, chances are the product in the big bottle is synthetic.

Because vanilla originally came from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, and because, at one time Mexico produced the world's finest vanilla, it follows that it would still be true. In fact, nearly all of the so-called vanilla extract coming from these countries is synthetic!
Mexico had the monopoly on vanilla production until the latter part of the 19th century and the vanilla-growing region on the Gulf of Mexico was very prosperous. In the mid-1800s, the French invested heavily in vanilla plantations in Reunion, the Comoro Islands, and later, Madagascar, and by the early 20th century these regions gained control of the world vanilla market. In the 1880s the first synthetic vanillas came from Germany, providing a cheaper alternative to natural vanilla.

In the early 20th century, the Mexican Revolution raged throughout the country, and for a while, was especially fierce on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. Mexico's share of the world's vanilla supply took a nosedive, but its reputation remained intact for several decades. During this time, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean began selling cheap synthetic vanillas hoping to cash in on the association of Mexico and vanilla. It worked. By adding coumarin to synthetic vanillin, the flavor was a little more like pure vanilla. Coumarin, from the Tonka tree, can be toxic, especially to the liver. We've outlawed its use in the United States since the 1950s.

Although there are label laws in Mexico they aren't enforced; in some of the other countries there are no restrictions. So, don't count on the label for an accurate account of the ingredients. Needless to say, synthetic vanillas are a big industry as most tourists have no idea they are being duped and it's an easy product to sell.
How do you know if it's pure vanilla? There are a few tip-offs:
• Is it amber colored, dark and murky, or clear? Clear is pure, synthetic vanillin. It's often called "crystal vanilla." Dark and murky is synthetic vanillin, most likely ethyl vanillin derived from coal tar. It may also be dark because it contains red dye that we've banned in the U.S. or it may contain caramel coloring. If it's truly amber-colored it may be natural vanilla. 

• What is the alcohol content? Usually the synthetics range from no alcohol to about 2% alcohol (which acts as a stabilizer). There are some vanilla-vanillin blends and some cheap-quality vanillas that have 25% alcohol, but they aren't worth buying either. 

• How much did you pay for it? This is the biggest tip-off. If it's in a big bottle and you paid $20.00 or less, it's absolutely not vanilla extract. Pure vanilla extract usually costs more in Mexico because only one company makes quality extract, and only in small quantities.

The only brand of pure vanilla extract in Mexico that are recommend is made by Orlando Gaya Hijos in Gutierrez Zamora, Vera Cruz and it usually can be only found in the Vera Cruz region. If you want safe, good quality pure Mexican vanilla extract, buy it in this country. And if you want synthetics, buy them here too. It's the same price as you'd pay in Mexico but American synthetics aren't adulterated with dangerous additives.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

A common misconception exists about Mexican and Caribbean vanilla. People rave to me about the fabulous deal they got on a giant bottle of vanilla extract in Mexico, Haiti, Guadeloupe, etc. Further, it has such a unique flavor and it's stronger than any vanilla they've ever used. Well, sorry folks, it isn't pure vanilla extract. In fact, chances are the product in the big bottle is synthetic.

Because vanilla originally came from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, and because, at one time Mexico produced the world's finest vanilla, it follows that it would still be true. In fact, nearly all of the so-called vanilla extract coming from these countries is synthetic!
Mexico had the monopoly on vanilla production until the latter part of the 19th century and the vanilla-growing region on the Gulf of Mexico was very prosperous. In the mid-1800s, the French invested heavily in vanilla plantations in Reunion, the Comoro Islands, and later, Madagascar, and by the early 20th century these regions gained control of the world vanilla market. In the 1880s the first synthetic vanillas came from Germany, providing a cheaper alternative to natural vanilla.

In the early 20th century, the Mexican Revolution raged throughout the country, and for a while, was especially fierce on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. Mexico's share of the world's vanilla supply took a nosedive, but its reputation remained intact for several decades. During this time, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean began selling cheap synthetic vanillas hoping to cash in on the association of Mexico and vanilla. It worked. By adding coumarin to synthetic vanillin, the flavor was a little more like pure vanilla. Coumarin, from the Tonka tree, can be toxic, especially to the liver. We've outlawed its use in the United States since the 1950s.

Although there are label laws in Mexico they aren't enforced; in some of the other countries there are no restrictions. So, don't count on the label for an accurate account of the ingredients. Needless to say, synthetic vanillas are a big industry as most tourists have no idea they are being duped and it's an easy product to sell.
How do you know if it's pure vanilla? There are a few tip-offs:
• Is it amber colored, dark and murky, or clear? Clear is pure, synthetic vanillin. It's often called "crystal vanilla." Dark and murky is synthetic vanillin, most likely ethyl vanillin derived from coal tar. It may also be dark because it contains red dye that we've banned in the U.S. or it may contain caramel coloring. If it's truly amber-colored it may be natural vanilla. 

• What is the alcohol content? Usually the synthetics range from no alcohol to about 2% alcohol (which acts as a stabilizer). There are some vanilla-vanillin blends and some cheap-quality vanillas that have 25% alcohol, but they aren't worth buying either. 

• How much did you pay for it? This is the biggest tip-off. If it's in a big bottle and you paid $20.00 or less, it's absolutely not vanilla extract. Pure vanilla extract usually costs more in Mexico because only one company makes quality extract, and only in small quantities.

The only brand of pure vanilla extract in Mexico that are recommend is made by Orlando Gaya Hijos in Gutierrez Zamora, Vera Cruz and it usually can be only found in the Vera Cruz region. If you want safe, good quality pure Mexican vanilla extract, buy it in this country. And if you want synthetics, buy them here too. It's the same price as you'd pay in Mexico but American synthetics aren't adulterated with dangerous additives.

Thanks! Didn't know this. I found the exact same information on a website called vanilla.com

 

[Toddymae]

I love the vanilla from Pampered Chef. I know its safe.

 

[thecooley]

We did however, find a grocery store and purchased it there.

Thanks for the info! I definitely wanted to find a grocery store while I was there. You can learn a lot about people by shopping in their grocery stores. We did it on our honeymoon in Jamaica, and it was so interesting to see the similarities and differences in our cultures. I know it's just a food store, but it's neat to see even the small things like packaging design and marketing, and how American brands stack up to their foreign counterparts.

 

[thecooley]

The only brand of pure vanilla extract in Mexico that are recommend is made by Orlando Gaya Hijos in Gutierrez Zamora, Vera Cruz and it usually can be only found in the Vera Cruz region. If you want safe, good quality pure Mexican vanilla extract, buy it in this country. And if you want synthetics, buy them here too. It's the same price as you'd pay in Mexico but American synthetics aren't adulterated with dangerous additives.

Thanks for posting that! I've seen that write-up in bits and pieces while Googling for info, but I had not noticed the brand recommendation at the end.

I love the vanilla from Pampered Chef. I know its safe.

I haven't tried that. I do like the spice blends they make. I have a Moroccan spice blend that is fabulous on pork. I think I've even put it on swordfish before.

As far as domestic brands, my current favorite is Rodelle, which I bought in a giant bottle from Costco a couple of years ago (and can't find anymore!!). It is great in cookies. A friend gave me a bottle of Williams Sonoma Madagascar bourbon vanilla, but I haven't tried it yet. Tone's is the brand you can buy from Sam's Club; it's just your basic no-frills background vanilla taste. I use it in things that are mostly chocolate or some other flavor, when the vanilla doesn't really matter. I have tried the Wilton clear vanilla for my cake decorating, and it's pretty weak on flavor. That's why I've really enjoyed that Danncy clear vanilla from Mexico.

 

[Pryd]

Last cruise I was in Ensenada, found some clear Vanilla with the bean in the bottle. So it is as least a little pure. LOL

Seriously, why don't you make it yourself. At least the "Martha Version" of pure vanilla.

She bought a bottle of very good Vodka, split the Vanilla beans (2) and put them in the bottle to infuse the flavor. It take some time but the result is fantastic.

 

[LisaBi]

I bought some in Cozumel - almost two years ago and still have most of it - it is nasty. I don't remember what I paid for it, but it wasn't much at all. It is labeled "Mexican Vanilla - Totonac's - Pure Vanilla. It says the ingredients are water, alcohol, and vanilla bean extractives (in that order - guess I should have read before I bought).

Anyway- very nasty. A waste of a good batch of cookie dough!

 

[disneylover123]

I love danncy vanilla
its that best stuff on earth, go to danncy.com. Trust me you'll fall in love

 

[lvstitch]

I got two bottles of Vanilla Totonac's from Costa Maya, not very vanilla-y at all. Don't waste your money on it.

 

[cruiselovinbunch]

I agree about Totanac's -- my in-laws brought it back from one of their cruises. I smelled it decided to throw it away. They got it in Costa Maya as well.

If you're able to get to Cozumel, buy your vanilla at Los Cincos Soles. The store has loads of other stuff, ranging from junky to really cool and actually quite impressive, but their vanilla is out of this world and very reasonably priced. It is labeled "organically grown," and it states "This product does not contain coumarin." It is by far the best vanilla I've ever used in cookies, cakes, ice cream, pancake batter, warm milk for bedtime... the list of uses goes on and on. It is brown in color so I don't know if that would bother anyone, but the taste is much smoother than the ones we're used to buying here (namely McCormick and other national brands of pure vanilla extract). The Los Cincos Soles store is right across the road from where the ship docks, on the second floor of the Punta Langosta Mall.

Happy shopping and baking.

 

[tinkerone]

i have a bottle of vanilla, brand name 'vane' in front of me that i got in cozumel. it list ingredients as vanila beans extratives in vater, alcohol, sugar and corn syrup. it smells and tastes yummy. i bought it at a grocery type store. bought two of them and am using them up nicely.
i would buy it again.

 

[erinjean1277]

You may want to try Nielsen-Massey vanilla's. They are made here in the states but make a couple of variations. Some specialty grocery stores carry but so does King Arthur Flour. I used it the first time this baking season and it was WODNERFUL! I know they make a Mexican vanilla that the beans are imported but it is made in US under US regulations. Hope this helps!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I no longer buy the vanilla in Mexico. I USED to, because it was stronger tasting than McCormick's, but then I found Madagascar vanilla available at Williams-Sonoma. It's even better than Mexican vanilla.

 

[jilljill]

Make sure the bottle says DOES NOT CONTAIN COURMARIN.

 

[lvstitch]

I no longer buy the vanilla in Mexico. I USED to, because it was stronger tasting than McCormick's, but then I found Madagascar vanilla available at Williams-Sonoma. It's even better than Mexican vanilla.

I agree

 

[SweetSpot]

I no longer buy the vanilla in Mexico. I USED to, because it was stronger tasting than McCormick's, but then I found Madagascar vanilla available at Williams-Sonoma. It's even better than Mexican vanilla.

There's also a Madagascar vanilla paste that's available that has intense vanilla flavor and is loaded with vanilla beans.

 

[MadtownMama]

Oh eeek! My parents went to Texas and bought me a huge bottle of vanialla extract at a mexican market (in Texas not Mexico). Now I'm worried about using it! I know she didn't spend very much on it at all.