4 Best Organic Vanilla Extracts for Baking 2024
Vanilla extract is a flavoring in liquid form that is derived from the vanilla plant and gets its flavor from a molecule found in the black seeds of the plant’s pods. This compound is called vanillin.
Most of the world’s vanilla comes from Madagascar vanilla beans, but it’s also sourced from Mexico, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Turkey, Tonga, Comoros, China, French Polynesia, and Uganda.
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It doesn’t come cheap either, as the harvesting process is labor-intensive and done by hand. As a cheaper alternative, vanilla essence is often used as a substitute, which may alter the flavor profile of what you are making, but not the structure.
This guide explores the difference in vanilla, including organic vanilla, and features a list of the best organic vanilla brands to use in your baking!
Vanilla has more than 250 flavor compounds, but when you cook or heat vanilla most of those are lost, except vanillin, which is what’s synthesized in labs to make vanilla essence.
If you want the deeper, more complex flavors of natural vanilla, the extract is favored for uncooked dishes, no-bake desserts, or recipes that call for vanilla as the star ingredient.
Why Choose Organic Vanilla Extract?
You may also want to consider organic extracts. These use organic vanilla beans, which is grown without the use of toxic pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. Avoiding this and choosing organic can be better for our bodies and for the environment.
Other ingredients used to make the extract, such as alcohol, should be organic too for the product to be considered fully organic. Keep in mind that this can push up the price.
The pods are then soaked in a mixture of water and ethyl alcohol, with the alcohol drawing out the vanillin to infuse the liquid. Thereafter the pods are filtered out.
The FDA stipulates that pure extract must be at least 35 percent alcohol with a minimum of 100 grams of vanilla beans per liter.
4 Organic Vanilla Extracts to Try
Good news: If you're looking for organic pure vanilla extract, we've scouted five amazing organic brands to try. These are all a great option for home cooks, bakers, and anyone looking for good vanilla extract!
Simply Organic's Vanilla Extract Easy to Find in Stores
Price Range: $6-$30
Part of Frontier Co-op, Simply Organic specializes in spices, but also offers seasonings, sauces, and extracts. They believe in working closely with organic farmers and building solid relationships.
Simply Organic’s vanilla extract is made with Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans and organic alcohol.
It contains no sugar, colorants, or flavorants, and is certified organic by Quality Assurance International (QAI). The vanilla is sourced from small-scale Madagascan farmers who are organized into a self-governing cooperative.
They also offer vanilla beans, vanilla bean paste, and non-alcoholic vanilla flavoring. Simply Organic products are great because they can easily be found in a variety of grocery stores. This is my go-to brand when shopping locally.
Frontier Co-Op's Organic Vanilla Extract Made from Bourbon Vanilla Beans
Price Range: $15-$37
Started by two people in Iowa in 1976, Frontier Co-Op has since grown to 40 000 members. They specialize in high-quality herbs, spices, and botanical products.
Committed to creating opportunities for their growers and employees, as well as looking after the planet, they advocate for sustainable and organic agriculture.
Frontier Co-Op’s organic herbs, spices, and botanicals include spearmint leaf, marshmallow root, red rose petals, and almond extract.
Frontier Co-Op sells vanilla extract as well, along with vanilla beans and vanilla flavoring. Their organic vanilla extract is made from the Bourbon variety of vanilla beans, a variety mainly cultivated in Madagascar.
Thrive Market's Value Sized Organic Vanilla Extract
Price Range: $13-$20
Thrive Market is an online grocery store where members can shop sustainable, organic, and non-GMO foods. Thrive Market's vanilla extract is non-GMO & 100% pure and sourced directly from farmers in Madagascar who are paid fair wages.
Their pure vanilla extract is also certified organic by the USDA.
Thrive Market's vanilla extract is what I personally buy most frequently.
I purchase the value size which usually lasts us a while and is especially great for holiday baking!
Watkins USDA Certified Organic Vanilla Extract
Price Range: $11+
Watkins started all the way back in 1868 with J.R. Watkins making small batches of liniment in his home kitchen in Minnesota.
In the 155 years since, Watkins has expanded to include extracts, spices, and bitters, introducing black pepper, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in 1895.
Watkins vanilla products include vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, and alcohol-free vanilla extract. Select products are USDA Organic certified and contain no artificial flavors.
The vanilla extract is made using organic alcohol and the non-alcoholic version is made with organic glycerin. They make the good stuff!
Is Organic Vanilla Extract More Expensive?
Yes, organic vanilla will typically be more expensive than conventional vanilla because they are using organic vanilla beans. I purchase my organic vanilla extract in large quantities to try to save a bit of money!
Since I typically only use vanilla extract in baking, it usually lasts me quite a while. I usually only purchase one of Thrive Market’s 8 oz value bottles of organic vanilla extract for $20 and it lasts me at least a year.
I think buying in bulk is always a good idea to consider when switching to any organic product.
Hopefully this guide helped you learn what to look for the next time you purchase vanilla extract and gave you some high quality organic vanilla brands to try out.
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Claudia Hauter is a South African writer, copy editor, and content creator with degrees in Drama and Anthropology. She works in television managing web content. When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s walking her dog, finding small businesses and markets to support, or attracting butterflies and bees with her vegetable garden. Learn from Claudia on Twitter or Instagram.
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Emily Waddell is the founder of The Honest Consumer. She has always been passionate about business for good and has a Bachelor degree in Social Entrepreneurship. She currently lives in Seattle where she practices imperfect sustainability. When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys supporting small businesses, clean eating, ethical fashion, and practicing slow living.
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