Have any of you used Mexican vanilla in a recipe? Does it change the taste? I bought a large bottle in San Antonio, TX, but I am not sure how to use it.

I have never used it, but my neighbor uses nothing else. She said it is stronger and has a better taste. I have eaten some of the things she has baked and it was very good. She uses the amount called for.

I was gifted with a large bottle many years ago and loved it! Used whatever was called for. Very nice flavor, wish I had more!!

Just use same amount in place of regular vanilla.I love it!

Was given to me one time and would love to have more
It is stronger :thumbup:

I love it. It also lasts a lot longer than what is in our stores. Use exactly what it calls for and it will be wonderful.

Use it just like regular vanilla. I use it all the time. I get mine from Penzey's spices, not from mexico, but it's called mexican vanilla, so I can only assume it's similar.

I love vanilla! And I LOVE Mexican vanilla. It stronger. Tastes better. Smells delicious. Especially great in recipes that you really notice the vanilla. I love to use this in my pecan pancakes! :)

It's GREAT. I use it all the time. What's the worst thing that can happen if you try it once?

I would only add one caveat. Some vanilla that is called Mexican Vanilla has lots of water and sugar in it, which dilutes it and makes it kind of funky. Mexican vanilla that is pure vanilla and alcohol ROCKS! Just make sure you aren't buying overpriced syrup.

I only use Mexican vanilla (bought in Mexico when we lived in AZ). I have both dark and white. The white is great for whipped cream, white cakes, etc. And the flavor lasts forever. Carol

Thank you all for your responses about Mexican vanilla. I did not know there was a white vanilla. I will have to look for it!

To make Mexican vanilla:
One empty bottle
two long sticks of vanilla
add vodka

Put it in a dark cupboard for ____ months(I don't remember if it is 3, 6 or more months)
Ready to use just like regular vanilla.
Great flavor!

Have never used it but I think it is the same a using any vanilla. As a matter of fact, I make my own vanilla.

How do you make your own vanilla??

It would be Vanilla Beans in a bottle with Vodka, let it sit for about 2 weeks and remember that it is very strong.

I have not used anything but Mexican vanilla for years I buy it in Mexico and it is wonderful I have both the white and dark sometimes I even add extra have you ever tried it in apple pie yyuuuuummmmmm

I use it all the time!

My neighbors are Mexican and when they go down on vacation they always bring me back a 5th of 100% vanilla. But I use less because it is stronger than regular!!!!!!!!! You can taste it!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been buying Mexican Vanilla for about 6 years since we became Winter Texans. It is delicious and I only use this now, no other. Buy it for all my friends and relatives and they love it too. It can be strong but I use it exactly as the recipe asks for, teaspoon for teaspoon. Try it, you will love it.

I love it,

It's the only type I use. Friends buy it for me when they go on cruises. Just be cautious......make sure it does not contain coumadin. When I first bought it in Mexico a 16oz bottle was $4.00. Now it's $7.00 but still more than worth the price. There's no comparison with imitation or domestic vanilla. There are a dozen bottles in my pantry right now and some of them will be Christmas gifts.

you just don't need to use as much as the recipe calls for. If you need a teaspoon, cut that back just a bit. Mexican vanilla is stronger than the vanilla you buy at the store. I use it a lot. Live in South Texas, just south of San Antonio and get it from Mexico.

Mexican vanilla is wonderful, use it as you would any vanilla. Mom had a friend for years and she would bring up vanilla to Michigan. She lived in Texas.

Mexican vanilla is wonderful. I use it in everything.

Yes, I use it all the time. Last a long time and price per bottle is much less than others. Can't tell much difference in taste.

Sounds like a good excuse for a cruise to Cozemel :)

Well, you would normally consider it to be a lot cheaper price for vanilla. However, if you factor in the cost of a cruise then the cost factor of buying it is lost.

By the way, I've used it (am currently out of it) and use it the same as vanilla purchased in the States. I did not get a stronger taste. Love the price of it and wish I had more. Maybe Ann S. could pick some up for me when she goes on her cruise.

We always purchase several quarts of it when we go to Mexico. It has a wonderful flavor.

my folks would bring back the mexican vanilla when they flew south for the winter. the kind they purchased had variations within the brand. there was the dark and white vanillas, but in the dark there was a "red rooster" and a "black rooster" mark on the bottles. the red rooster was the traditional mexican vanilla flavor--the black rooster was like the vanilla we commonly know in the states. the red rooster has a more "mexican" flavor to it, and is much more concentrated, to my palate. they are all good, though.

the coumadin concern is valid to a certain extent, but most of the manufacturers don't use a coumadin base, any more. there are some good articles on the web about it, so if you take coumadin, just check what brand of vanilla you are using. if the ingredients include "tonka bean", it means that the vanilla isn't real vanilla, but made from tonka beans that contain coumarin; that can affect clotting times and coumadin. (from the description, that's the kind that tastes like regular vanilla!)

an article : http://www.ptinr.com/data/templates/...aspx?a=850&z=3

If you can't get to Mexico, Penzeys Spices has a double strength vanilla that is awesome

Thanks for the information about vanilla made from tonka beans. I will check my bottle. My husband takes coumadin, so I will always be careful. The article you linked to was informative.

Also want to thank you all for the white vanilla recipe. Just have to get some vanilla sticks--already have the vodka!

Thanks to all of you. I have learned a lot about vanilla.

Makes everthing you bake with it, taste so much yummier. Have several bottles that have been gifted to me. Love to make peanut brittle with this, gives a much better taste IMO.

It's great. If I could get it that would be all I would use. I used to live on the border and used it all the time.

I may have to try making my own. That sounds good.

I have had some "cheap" Mexican Vanilla that I did not like. I just bought a bottle of more expensive stuff and it is good!

I bought vanilla made in Mexico. If that is what you mean, use it sparingly. If that is the case, The vanilla is very strong. Use a teaspoon when it calls for a tablespoon.

Nothing like it though.

Boslie

I have used it. Don't like the flavor at all. Mine came from Mexico from a friend. They sell it at the liquor stores. It has an odd taste to me, but thats just me. I used it just like the US vanilla. At least I did. Good luck and hope you like it.

The best use for white (I'm assuming you mean CLEAR???) vanilla is in white frosting that you really want to stay white....not slightly tan like regular vanilla can tint it!

Every time we go to Mexico I buy some vanilla. The clear kind is getting hard to find. Once, in Mazetlan I bought some vanilla powder.To make some old fashioned German cookies, I put vabilla bean in sugar & after a time you get vanilla sugar!

Use it all the time. Absolutely love it!