Vanilla extract gives baked goods, desserts and drinks the flavour and aroma of real vanilla. When choosing a product, consider three things: whether it contains alcohol, whether it has visible vanilla seeds and what you plan to make with it.

Prema Vanilla extract with 35% alcohol is a practical choice for a rich, classic vanilla flavour in baking. Alcohol-free vanilla extract with no added sugar is convenient for everyday recipes such as yoghurt, porridge and smoothies. Vanilla bean paste is useful when you want both vanilla flavour and visible seeds in your dessert.

This guide explains how these products differ, how to use them and what to check before buying.

What is vanilla extract

Vanilla extract is a liquid ingredient containing aromatic compounds extracted from vanilla beans. It lets you flavour a dish without splitting a bean and scraping out its seeds.

Traditional vanilla extract is made using water and alcohol. Alcohol helps extract vanilla's aromatic compounds and acts as their solvent. Alcohol-free vanilla products are also available, using a base such as glycerin.

Vanilla extract is different from vanilla sugar. Extract is used primarily for flavour and aroma, while vanilla sugar also increases the amount of sugar in a recipe.

How vanilla extract differs from vanillin

Vanilla extract comes from vanilla beans, while vanillin is one of the compounds responsible for vanilla's characteristic aroma. Natural vanilla contains other aromatic compounds too, so its flavour profile can be more complex than that of a product based on vanillin alone.

However, the term “vanilla flavouring” on its own does not establish a product's origin. Read the ingredient list to see whether it specifies vanilla extract, vanilla beans, vanillin or flavourings.

If you specifically want flavour extracted from real vanilla beans, look for clear information about the raw ingredient and where it comes from.

What Madagascar Bourbon vanilla means

Madagascar Bourbon vanilla is associated with the Vanilla planifolia species and its rich, warm vanilla aroma.

The word “Bourbon” in a vanilla product name does not mean it contains bourbon whiskey. It is a historical name linked to Réunion, formerly known as Île Bourbon. To find out whether a particular extract contains alcohol, check its ingredients and label.

Prema Vanilla's vanilla is grown on Prema Farm in Madagascar. This gives a clear answer to an important question for buyers: where does the vanilla used in the product come from?

Vanilla extracts and vanilla bean paste compared

Vanilla bean paste is a separate product format. It is included in this comparison because it is often used in similar recipes to extract. The table compares three Prema Vanilla products.

These examples help you choose, but they are not strict limits. Alcohol-free extract can also be used in baking, and traditional extract can be used in creams if an alcohol-containing ingredient suits the recipe.

When to choose vanilla extract with 35 percent alcohol

Choose vanilla extract with alcohol when you want a rich, classic vanilla flavour and an ingredient that is easy to mix in.

Prema Vanilla Bourbon vanilla extract is made from vanilla grown in Madagascar. Its listed ingredients are vanilla bean extractives, water and alcohol. The manufacturer's description highlights warm caramel notes and delicate floral undertones.

This extract is suitable for:

• cake and cupcake batters;

• butter or chocolate cookies;

• pancakes and waffles;

• baked desserts where you want a smooth texture without visible seeds.

Liquid extract is easy to distribute throughout a batter. There is no need to prepare a vanilla bean separately, making it convenient for occasional bakers as well as people who use vanilla regularly.

The 35% figure refers to the alcohol content in the bottle, not in the finished dish. Heating can reduce the amount of alcohol, but you should not assume it always evaporates completely. If you want an ingredient without alcohol, choose the separate alcohol-free extract.

When to choose alcohol-free vanilla extract

Choose alcohol-free vanilla extract when you want vanilla flavour without using an alcohol-containing ingredient in your recipe.

Prema Vanilla alcohol-free extract contains glycerin, water and Bourbon vanilla extract. It has no visible seeds and no added sugar.

This format is particularly convenient for dishes and drinks that you simply mix and serve:

• plain yoghurt and quark;

• breakfast porridge;

• fruit smoothies;

• coffee and milk drinks;

• no-bake desserts.

For example, you can stir vanilla into plain yoghurt with berries or into cooked oatmeal. It is an easy way to bring vanilla aroma into everyday breakfasts.

Why an extract with no added sugar can taste slightly sweet

Glycerin has a sweet taste, so the product can taste gently sweet without added sugar.

“No added sugar” does not mean “sugar-free” or “calorie-free”. It also does not mean that the extract replaces the sugar needed in a recipe. Vanilla extract is primarily for flavour and aroma, rather than for creating sweetness or the structure of a batter.

When to use vanilla bean paste instead of extract

Choose vanilla bean paste when you want vanilla to be both tasted and seen. Real vanilla seeds are particularly visible in pale creams and desserts.

Prema Vanilla paste with seeds is alcohol-free. Its listed ingredients are glucose syrup, glycerin, water, vanilla bean extract and natural vanilla seeds.

The paste is suitable for:

• vanilla ice cream;

• custards;

• panna cotta;

• cake creams and icing.

Its main benefit is the combination of flavour and appearance. In panna cotta or vanilla custard, the seeds become a visible part of the dessert.

However, the paste is different from an extract with no added sugar: it contains glucose syrup. If added sugar is an important factor in your choice, it is worth distinguishing between these products.

How to use vanilla extract

Mix vanilla extract in so that it is evenly distributed throughout the dish. For baking, it is convenient to combine it with the wet ingredients before adding the flour. In yoghurt, a drink or cooked porridge, simply stir it in thoroughly.

Choose the amount primarily according to the recipe and the specific product's recommendations. Extracts and pastes from different manufacturers can vary in concentration, so the same volume will not necessarily give the same flavour intensity.

If a recipe does not specify an amount:

1. Start with a small amount.

2. Mix thoroughly.

3. If the dish is safe to taste, check the flavour and add more if needed.

Do not judge an extract only by its smell in the bottle. An alcohol-containing extract can smell sharper than a small amount distributed throughout a finished dish.

What to look for when buying vanilla extract

When choosing vanilla, pack size and price are not the only considerations. Check whether the product suits your recipe and expectations.

Ingredients. Does it contain vanilla extract? Is there alcohol, syrup or another ingredient that matters to you?

Origin. Does the manufacturer state where the vanilla was grown?

Product format. Do you want a liquid extract without seeds or a paste with visible seeds?

Recommended quantity. How much is recommended for one recipe? The bottle price alone does not tell you the cost per use.

Storage. Follow the instructions on the specific pack, including advice after opening.

You can start choosing a Prema Vanilla product with a simple question: is your priority a classic flavour in baking, the absence of alcohol and added sugar, or visible vanilla seeds?

Frequently asked questions about vanilla extract

Does all vanilla extract contain alcohol

No. Traditional extracts use alcohol, but alcohol-free products are also available. Prema Vanilla offers both Bourbon vanilla extract with 35% alcohol and alcohol-free vanilla extract.

Does Bourbon vanilla extract contain bourbon whiskey

The word “Bourbon” does not mean the product contains bourbon whiskey. It is a name used for vanilla. Check the specific product's ingredients for the presence and amount of alcohol.

Can alcohol-free vanilla extract be used in baking

Yes. Alcohol-free extract can be used in baking as well as in yoghurt, porridge, coffee and smoothies. Choose the amount according to the recipe and the product's recommendations.

What is the difference between vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste

Liquid extract is convenient for distributing aroma evenly. Vanilla bean paste is usually thicker and can contain visible seeds. Prema Vanilla paste also contains glucose syrup, so its ingredients differ from those of the extract with no added sugar.

Can an extract without seeds be made from real vanilla

Yes. An extract can be made from real vanilla beans without containing visible seeds. The presence of seeds is not the only indicator of a product's origin or quality.

Can vanilla extract replace vanilla sugar

It can provide vanilla aroma, but it does not replace the sugar contained in vanilla sugar. When substituting ingredients, assess the recipe's sweetness and structure separately.

Can extract and paste be substituted one for one

Only if the specific product or recipe recommendations allow it. Differences in concentration and ingredients mean that the same volume will not always produce the same result.

Find the right Prema Vanilla for your recipe

For cakes, cookies and waffles, choose classic Bourbon vanilla extract. For everyday recipes where you want to avoid alcohol and added sugar, choose alcohol-free extract. For ice cream, custards and panna cotta where you want visible seeds, try vanilla bean paste.

Explore the Prema Vanilla range of extracts and paste and choose according to what you are making.