Mexican Vanilla Totonac’s - 33.2 Oz (1 Lt) Bottle - Pure Vanilla Extract Cooking and Baking

First off, don't blame the manufacturer if the seller sends you the wrong product. The product you are supposed to be getting is labeled "pure vanilla." Some sellers are apparently swapping out the listed product for another product by the same brand, that also contains preservatives and artificial flavors. I'm a careful consumer and I believe that the product in the picture--"Vanilla Totonac's Pure Vanilla"--is indeed pure vanilla. But it's not vanilla extract, as that term is used in the U.S. I'm no chemist, but clearly does not contain the vodka-level 35% alcohol required for the FDA definition. If you look carefully on the bottle, it's not labeled as "vanilla extract"--it's called "vanilla" or "vanilla bean extract." The immediate impact of this is that it won't have the same properties when used for baking. Some folks like to use copious vanilla extract in pie crusts because it will evaporate before water will, leaving things flaky; not so here. But, you know what--who cares? It's delicious and half the price of McCormick's. I use it as a flavor enhancer for cocoa smoothies that I make every day. It has an intense floral aroma and flavor, almost like vanilla candy. I did a taste test with the same quantity of McCormick's and Totonac's in smoothies and there was no comparison. The McCormick's was subtle and almost chemically tasting with all the alcohol. The Totonac's was the perfect complement to the chocolate flavor, much better indeed. The flavor of this product is much more intense and floral than traditional high-alcohol vanilla extract, so I can see how people might complain if they used it in baked goods. It appears to contain little or no alcohol, so its mixing properties will be different, especially with dissolving other spices or flavors. To be quite honest, we haven't tried it in baked goods, and in fact bought a reserve bottle of McCormick's for that purpose. I feel like you could overcome the alcohol issue with other ingredients, but we haven't tried. But for beverages, ice creams, puddings, or anywhere else other than baked goods, this is outstanding and probably the most pleasant vanilla I've ever had. I drink hearty amounts of it every day and wouldn't hesitate to put it in coffee or smoothies, or anywhere else you want to enhance a chocolate-like flavor.

It is a good quality product and flavors the recipe appropriatly.

I love the smell and taste of this vanilla. It has a richness that I love!

This vanilla really adds great flavor to anything you're baking.

Good quality vanilla.

This is so much better than the vanilla with alcohol. You will not regret it.

Wife won't use anything else. Great value without suffering quality. She uses for making her "quirky kalua".

I’ve found better deals that taste just as good

SIEMPRE LA HE USADO

Totonac-Vanille ist an sich schon ein Premium-Produkt. Die beste Vanille kommt aus Mexico und es war bis jetzt sehr schwer, sie in Europa zu bekommen. Ich habe immer über Freunde aus der USA bestellt. Das ist Vanille, die echte, unverfälschte, nicht parfümierte Vanille!

Quick delivery... product received as advertised...Will buy again...