The key difference between vanilla and vanilla extract is that vanilla refers to the flavor, while vanilla extract refers to the substance that gives the flavor. Vanilla and vanilla extract are terms usually used to refer to the ingredient used in food preparations. These may be in liquid form or in powder form. Vanilla is a popular flavor used in a wide variety of dishes across many continents and subcultures since the early centuries.
Key Takeaways
- Vanilla is the name of a certain genus of plant that is the source of the widely used vanilla flavor, while vanilla extract is the purest form of vanilla flavoring.
- Vanilla extract is a solution made from soaking vanilla pods in a mixture of alcohol and water, and it provides a sweet, rich, and creamy flavor to various food items.
- Vanilla is a more general term to refer to the flavor found in food dishes, while vanilla extract refers to the substance that gives that flavor, and it can be either real extract obtained from vanilla beans or an imitation flavor produced from artificial flavoring chemicals and vanillin.
What is Vanilla?
Vanilla, in general, is the name of a certain genus of plant that is the source of the widely used vanilla flavor. It is an orchid that bears fruit called vanilla beans. Vanilla has a sweet, rich, and creamy flavor and a warm, sweet and comforting aroma. The vanilla flavor is extracted from these beans using a special process that uses alcohol and water. This flavoring may vary in concentration; the higher the flavor, the more expensive the product is.
Vanilla is used as a flavor in a variety of sweets, desserts, and beverages. It can enhance the sweet, rich, and creamy taste of food and beverages. The vanilla scent is also used in aromatherapy; for example, in candles, perfumes, and room sprays. This aromatic scent can create a calming and relaxing environment.
What is Vanilla Extract?
Vanilla extract is the purest form of vanilla flavoring. Vanilla extract is a solution made from soaking vanilla pods in a mixture of alcohol and water. The solution is used as a flavor in a variety of sweets, desserts, and beverages to provide a sweet, rich, and creamy flavor. A lot of food enthusiasts have expressed a preference for this pure vanilla flavoring due to its strong and long-lasting aroma. However, they are somewhat expensive, so imitation vanilla flavoring is sometimes used. This imitation vanilla is made using wood byproducts and chemicals to simulate the flavor, not the real vanilla beans.
Vanilla extract is commonly sold in grocery stores and is a staple ingredient in many households. It is also used in perfumes, candles, and other fragrances.
What is the Difference Between Vanilla and Vanilla Extract?
Vanilla is a more general term to refer to the flavor found in food dishes, while vanilla extract is what you would put into a dish to give it a certain flavor. Vanilla extract is the pure flavoring, which is a real extract obtained from vanilla beans, while vanilla may vary in flavor in terms of the purity of the substance used, as well as with the mode of preparation: pure vanilla flavor stems from the actual vanilla bean extract, while the imitated flavor is produced from artificial flavoring chemicals and vanillin, which is a byproduct of wood.
The key difference between vanilla and vanilla extract is that vanilla refers to the flavor, while vanilla extract refers to the substance that gives the flavor.
Despite the common interchanging of these two terms, it is important to know that the vanilla aroma can vary depending on the substance used, with vanilla extract being the stronger and purer form.
Summary – Vanilla vs Vanilla Extract
Vanilla is the general term used to refer to the vanilla flavor or aroma, and in order to get this flavor or aroma, one may use either the imitation vanilla flavoring or the real vanilla extract. Vanilla extract is the substance used to give a strong aroma of vanilla to your dish. This is the summary of the difference between vanilla and vanilla extract.
Reference:
1. “Vanilla.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:1. “Vanilla 6beans” By B.navez – Photo : B.navez (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “VanillaExtract” By Itineranttrader – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
