Not Your Average Ingredient: Organic Vanilla Extract

Did you know that less than 1% of vanilla flavoring comes from it’s pure source, the vanilla orchid? The vanilla flavor we know and love comes from a compound called vanillin. Vanillin occurs naturally in the vanilla plant but can also be derived from a range of sources including pine bark, cloves, and even animal waste. In fact, 85% of vanillin is derived from a petrochemical called guaiacol. This means that it’s possible the vanilla extract you’re buying from the store may actually contain no real vanilla at all. Needless to say, not all vanilla extracts are created the same. In this article we’ll be highlighting another indispensable ingredient: the organic vanilla extract we’re proud to use in all of our coconut cookies.

 

What is Vanilla?

Vanilla is a tropical orchid native to Mexico. The vine-like plant produces delicate flowers that once pollinated, turn into vanilla pods. The long pods are picked before they are ripe and are then dried and cured. To make vanilla extract, the pods are mixed with alcohol and aged until the dark aromatic liquid is formed. The vanilla flavor comes from the thousands of tiny vanilla beans that each pod holds. Due to the extensive production process and particular climates required to grow the plants, vanilla is very sought after and expensive. In fact, vanilla is the most expensive spice in the world after saffron!

 

Why we use organic vanilla extract

The best quality ingredients usually aren’t the cheapest, but we’re not willing to compromise on quality when it comes to our products. And, organic is kind of our middle name...or last, you could say ;). The organic vanilla extract in our cookies is made from real organic vanilla beans! The flavor extraction happens when the beans are soaked in water and alcohol. In addition to following our guidelines of being organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, grain-free, and vegan, the extract is free of added sugar, corn, soy, and palm oil! We also use vanilla bean powder in our Vanilla Bean Coconut Cookies.

 

Is the alcohol in the vanilla extract grain-based?

All of our products are grain-free and gluten-free! Our vanilla extract is composed of water, organic ethyl alcohol (derived from organic sugar cane), and organic extractives of vanilla beans.

 

Is it safe to consume Emmy’s while pregnant?

Yes! Our cookies are “flash” baked and this process eliminates the trace amount of alcohol present in the vanilla extract. Rest assured you can safely enjoy our cookies throughout all stages of pregnancy!

 

Experience the warm, complex flavor profile of organic pure vanilla extract in any of our Coconut Cookies, or go all-out with our Vanilla Bean Coconut Cookies and Chocolate Covered Vanilla Bites! Feel like baking? Check out these vanilla packed recipes: Blueberry Vanilla Muffins, Vanilla Bean Blackberry Parfait, Vanilla Bean Berry Crumble Bars.