jennecks Posted April 26, 2004 #1 Share Posted April 26, 2004 we are cruising the mexican riveria in may...can you get good deals on vanilla beans and or pure vanilla extract??? we are from idaho and these items are practically unavailable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotton Posted May 8, 2004 #2 Share Posted May 8, 2004 I haven't seen any vanilla beans for sale, but I always pick up a few bottles of vanilla extract. Last cruise, I bought 4 16-oz. bottles for myself and to bring back for friends. It's SO good and strong - and of course, you use about half as much as the comm'l type you buy here. Festivale 1987 Carnivale 1988 Mardi Gras 1989 Pacific Princess 1990 Norway 1994 Holiday 2001 Holiday 2002 Holiday 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mezzaluna Posted May 9, 2004 #3 Share Posted May 9, 2004 Make sure it's a reputable brand. Foodie friends got adulterated stuff once. I stick with Penzey's double strength. Stella Solaris '80 Carnival Celebration '92 RCCL Majesty of the Seas '01 Coral Princess '04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpristash Posted July 3, 2004 #4 Share Posted July 3, 2004 I too stoke up on pure vanilla when in Mexico....that is my secret weapon for my choc. chip cookies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nealberk Posted July 18, 2004 #5 Share Posted July 18, 2004 I too stoke up on pure vanilla when in Mexico....that is my secret weapon for my choc. chip cookies! Shhh!!!!! Don't tell anybody! (Yes the secret to great chocolate chip cookies is the vanilla!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted July 21, 2004 #6 Share Posted July 21, 2004 In the past I've bought vanilla in Mexico, but not anymore. Please heed Mezzaluna's warning. From a Google search, check out: About.com - Vanilla The Straight Dope Joy of Baking Vanilla.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellmcguire Posted July 25, 2004 #7 Share Posted July 25, 2004 Thank you for the informative sites Mary Ellen. If you want to find Real Vanilla at a good price here in the states, check your local Costco. And save your spending money for the real treasures in Mexico! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akur23 Posted October 28, 2004 #8 Share Posted October 28, 2004 Here's the FDA warning: :eek: http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia2807.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davispigeon Posted December 2, 2004 #9 Share Posted December 2, 2004 but found out about the coumarin when we got back and ended up dumping the bottle. :o Now I buy all my vanilla from Penzey's. Good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDRMark Posted December 5, 2004 #10 Share Posted December 5, 2004 Just say 'no'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendon Posted December 6, 2004 #11 Share Posted December 6, 2004 Any word on the safety of vanilla extract from Grenada, the "spice island"? I have a big bottle of that in the cupboard. This is a very interestng thread. Thanks for all the time and effort to those who are supplying the information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liner Posted December 11, 2004 #12 Share Posted December 11, 2004 It seems that Mexican vanilla is only sold in quart sized containers!! :rolleyes: I only use Madgascar Vanilla.... Today about 70 - 80% of the world's vanilla comes from the islands of Madagascar and R鼯span>union in the Indian Ocean where the plants were first introduced around 1840. The Madagascar or Madagascar-Bourbonvanilla beans are often referred to as "bourbon beans" because the French first planted the vine on the Isle de Bourbon (renamed R鼯span>union). These beans have a smooth, rich, sweet flavor and are the thinnest of the vanilla beans grown. The Mexican vanilla bean is a thicker and darker bean that has a smooth, strong, rich fragrance and flavor. Some say they are the best. The one problem is that some manufacturers of vanilla products in Mexico add coumarin, which is banned by the FDA because it can cause liver and kidney damage. So make sure you always buy Mexican vanilla products from a reputable supplier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundsgn Posted January 24, 2005 #13 Share Posted January 24, 2005 How do you find out if the vanilla you buy has it in it? I bought some in Mazatlan.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwmdlm Posted August 8, 2005 #14 Share Posted August 8, 2005 For years I have gone across the border from Texas and purchased La Vencedora vanilla - it has the big red rooster on it. You find it in liquor stores and it comes in a large bottle. This stuff has been the best! Recently, I have seen a slightly smaller version of it at Walmart stores in their hispanic food section. I imagine if Walmart is putting it out on their shelves, it's most likely safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjidog Posted August 11, 2005 #15 Share Posted August 11, 2005 Thanks for the info on the vanilla. Last year my brother brought everyone a bottle of Mexican vanilla. I just took a quick glance, but it looks like the bad stuff. I have someone else checking that out because I'm to into cruise stuff right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azur Posted August 28, 2005 #16 Share Posted August 28, 2005 My bottle of vanilla from mexico say coumarin free on the label. My favorite vanilla is some bottles that I have bought in Barbados. The only place I've come across vanilla beans for sale was at a market in St. Lucia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phlydude Posted August 29, 2005 #17 Share Posted August 29, 2005 I bought 2 bottles of Vanilla in Cozumel at the Pharmacy. One was clear, the other is regular (brown). The bottles were 1L each (33.8 oz) and cost me $6 each. I compared to prices by me here and I can get about 6-8 oz for that price (and it's Coumarin free). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisegirl1 Posted October 11, 2005 #18 Share Posted October 11, 2005 I have some vanilla I bought in Mexico, but have not opened yet. Is it the same strength as grocery store vanilla extract, and do you use the particular recipe recommended amount? Thanks from an occasional baker. Marci Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovemexicanvanilla Posted November 2, 2009 #19 Share Posted November 2, 2009 i went to progreso, mexico and bought some mexican vanilla. the vanilla has a strong aroma and taste. i think it's called Danncy Vainilla i heard that it is in the fda list, but i took it to a laboratory in Houston and they said is was 100% pure vanilla beans I LOVE DANNCY VANILLA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caribbean Sunsets Posted November 10, 2009 #20 Share Posted November 10, 2009 I've been using La Vencedora vanilla for many years. My parents winter in Mexico and keep me well stocked. It's aroma is wonderful and adds so much more to my baked goods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudeeJim Posted November 16, 2009 #21 Share Posted November 16, 2009 It seems that Mexican vanilla is only sold in quart sized containers!! :rolleyes: I only use Madgascar Vanilla.... Today about 70 - 80% of the world's vanilla comes from the islands of Madagascar and R鼯span>union in the Indian Ocean where the plants were first introduced around 1840. The Madagascar or Madagascar-Bourbonvanilla beans are often referred to as "bourbon beans" because the French first planted the vine on the Isle de Bourbon (renamed R鼯span>union). These beans have a smooth, rich, sweet flavor and are the thinnest of the vanilla beans grown. The Mexican vanilla bean is a thicker and darker bean that has a smooth, strong, rich fragrance and flavor. Some say they are the best. The one problem is that some manufacturers of vanilla products in Mexico add coumarin, which is banned by the FDA because it can cause liver and kidney damage. So make sure you always buy Mexican vanilla products from a reputable supplier I have been using Mexican vanilla for 30 years and have no liver or kidney damage. I make sure I read the label. It should say pure vanilla and doesn't contain coumarin. The brand most recommended by our Mexican friends is "Pasa". Once I brought a gallon to a lady in our office and she shared it with everyone. The gallon cost $10 and I bought it in a pharmacy in Los Algodones, Baja, Mexico. I suggest if you are going to buy vanilla either buy it in a pharmacy or a grocery store. Any that you buy in fancy bottles are probably filled from a larger source and given a fancy name. As usual it is buyer beware. Read the label. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisin'tex Posted December 5, 2009 #22 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Lived in south TX for many years and we'd cross into MX to shop. Vanilla was always a must. Since I now live in SE TX, I buy vanilla while cruising to Mexican ports. I always try to find the kind with the rooster on the label....can't remember the name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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