V is for vanilla! Vanilla is one of the world’s most popular flavoring materials, but did you know that vanilla is the second-most expensive spice after saffron, due to the extensive labor required to grow the vanilla seedpods? Imitation vanilla, on the other hand, is created from wood pulp, a by-product of the paper industry (they can make vanilla without a vanilla bean in sight!). So which vanilla is the better choice? According to a Cooks Illustrated taste test, “If you’re only buying one bottle of vanilla for cooking, baking, and making cold and creamy desserts, our top choice is a real extract. If you only use vanilla for baking, we have to admit there’s not much difference between a well-made synthetic vanilla and the real thing. Speaking to pastry chefs, we learned that many buy an arsenal of vanilla extracts, using cheaper imitation for baking and pure for confections made with moderate or no heat, such as puddings, pastry cream, and buttercream frosting.” Thanks for the tip @cooksillustrated! #rochesterny #irondequoitny #nutritioncareofrochester #atoznutrition #wellnesswednesday #vanilla #tastetest
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