Does (Pure) Vanilla Extract Go Bad & How I Store It

You might be wondering does vanilla extract go bad? This is the most popular concern among baking lovers.

Vanilla extract is a favorite ingredient for baking because just a few drops add a lot of flavor. If you’re thinking that old bottle of vanilla extract in your cupboard is still okay to use. Yes, it probably is! a vanilla extract made with real vanilla beans and at least 35% alcohol can last for a very long time. It doesn’t really spoil if you store it right.

However, the taste of vanilla extract can change as it ages. It might get stronger or start to fade. This change is more noticeable in recipes where vanilla is the main flavor, like vanilla ice cream or vanilla cake.

Proper storage is key, so keep on reading to learn how you can store it without affecting its taste. I’ve also shared some clever tips to help you spot when your vanilla extract has gone bad, plus the best ways to use it so it stays fresh for a long time.

What Is Vanilla Extract?

Vanilla extract is a must-have for your baking. You’ll find it in all kinds of desserts, from cakes at your events to cupcakes. It’s also great in custards, ice creams, milkshakes, and puddings. This little touch of vanilla makes everything taste better.

To make pure vanilla extract, actual vanilla beans are soaked in a mix of water and alcohol. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that for vanilla extract to be considered pure, it needs to have at least 35% of alcohol content or at least 100 grams of vanilla beans per liter of liquid.

The vanilla flavor mainly comes from a compound called vanillin. But, a vanilla bean also has other compounds that enrich the extract’s flavor, such as sugar, corn syrup, or dextrose.

How Is Pure Vanilla Extract Scent Like?

Vanilla extract has a typical sweet scent with a hint of nuttiness. Vanilla also feels soft and creamy, with a unique depth that reminds you of baked treats and some of the best things in life.

The way vanilla smells depends on how good the vanilla beans are and how the extract is made. Alcohol in the extract helps spread the smell when you use it.

However, pure vanilla is quite pricey. It’s so expensive that it’s rarely used in perfumes. Instead, perfume makers often use synthetic versions called vanillin and ethyl-vanillin. These scents are very similar to natural vanilla, being soft, creamy, and sweet—though they are a tad sweeter.

These synthetic versions provide just the right feel. Although some high-end perfumers, like Guerlain, might use real vanilla extract in their more exclusive scents, most perfumes use these synthetic substitutes. In fact, a study in Current Biology says that vanilla is the most popular scent worldwide, and that’s not hard to believe at all.

What Is Vanilla Essence?

Vanilla essence, also called artificial vanilla extract, is made from water, ethanol, propylene glycol, emulsifiers, and artificial flavors and colors. This essence captures its vanilla flavor from vanillin, but unlike natural vanilla extract derived from vanilla beans, the vanillin in the essence is made in a lab. This makes it a lot more affordable.

You might have heard some talk about castoreum, which is a secretion from beaver’s anal glands that surprisingly smells like vanilla. Some folks think it’s commonly used in vanilla essence.

In reality, it’s hardly ever used in food production because it’s not only expensive but also not very practical to collect. So, when you’re using vanilla essence, it’s a practical, budget-friendly creation of science and can work the same as original vanilla extract or save you money.

Best Way to Store Pure Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is quite easy to handle compared to other spices, but you still need to be careful about a few things. It’s sensitive to heat, cold, light, and air. The most important thing you can do is to make sure that your bottle is tightly sealed. This helps protect it from air and moisture, which could lead to mold. Luckily, the alcohol in real vanilla extract makes mold less of a concern.

For the best results, store vanilla extract in a cool, dark place where temperatures stay between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-20°C), such as a dark cupboard in the kitchen or dark space. Also, keep it away from electronic appliances like ovens and dishwashers, and don’t put it in the fridge, as low temperatures can lower its quality.

Both pure and imitation vanilla often come in dark bottles to keep them safe from light. If yours isn’t in a dark bottle, transfer it to a dark one, and make sure it has a tight lid. The reason is that light can degrade the quality of vanilla extract, so a dark bottle is a good protection to increase the shelf life of your vanilla extract if stored properly.

My 3 Tips to Check if Your Vanilla Extract Has Gone Bad

You can easily tell if your vanilla extract has gone bad by following these simple and quick tips:

• First, check for mold. Mold can appear as fuzzy spots or unusual growths, often in green, black, or white. If you spot any on the lid or inside the bottle, it’s time for a new one because the mold may make your extract turn cloudy.
• Next, give it a sniff. Vanilla extract, whether pure or imitation, should have a sweet and rich smell. If the smell is sour, harsh, or generally off, the extract has degraded or possibly been contaminated. Good vanilla extract should entice your senses, not repulse them.
• Lastly, look at the liquid itself. Real vanilla extract should be relatively clear with a deep amber color. If your vanilla extract is cloudy or has particles floating in it, that’s a sign it’s no longer good or might have gone bad.

Other than this, if you’re still in doubt and unsure, it’s best to throw away the old bottle and buy a new one.

Shelf Life of Pure Vs. Imitation Vanilla Extract

Type of Vanilla Extract	Shelf Life
Pure	5 – 10 years
Artificial/Imitation	2 – 4 years
Mexican	2 – 4 years
Homemade (pure)	5 – 10 years

If you buy pure vanilla extract or make it yourself using real vanilla pods and vodka, it can last forever or has a shelf life of 5-10 years. That’s right—pure vanilla extract doesn’t go bad because it has a high alcohol content, at least 35%, which keeps bacteria at bay.

When you make vanilla extract at home, the longer you let the vanilla pods soak in the vodka, the stronger the flavor and scent become. Every time you use your vanilla extract, give it a quick sniff to make sure it still smells good. This is a great way to check if it’s still good to use.

However, artificial/imitation vanilla extract is a different story. It doesn’t last as long as pure extract. It won’t spoil, but it will start to lose its flavor and scent faster, usually within 2-4 years. To be sure of its quality, always check the “best by” date on the bottle. This will help you know how long it will stay at its best.

Difference Between Pure and Imitation Vanilla Extract

Pure vanilla extract is made by soaking real vanilla beans in a mixture of alcohol or water. This process pulls out not just vanillin, which is the main flavor you taste, but also over a hundred other compounds that make the flavor rich and complex. Typically, the mix ends up being about 10% vanilla bean, 35% alcohol, and 55% water. The government keeps an eye on how it’s made to ensure quality.

On the other hand, imitation vanilla, also known as natural vanilla flavoring, is mostly made from synthetic vanillin created in a lab. Since it only includes vanillin and not the other complex flavors, it doesn’t taste as rich as pure vanilla. It also usually has just a little alcohol, around 2-3%.

One of the biggest differences you’ll notice between pure and imitation vanilla is the price. Pure vanilla extract costs more because growing vanilla beans takes a lot of work.

When it comes to how long they last, pure vanilla extract can last forever, up to many years. Over time, it might even taste better as the alcohol slowly evaporates. But imitation vanilla starts to lose its flavor after about three to four years.

Perfect Ways to Use Your Vanilla Extract In Desserts

To make sure your vanilla extract stays good, use it wisely. Most baking recipes say to add only a teaspoon or ½ to 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, but you can also adjust the amount accordingly.

Don’t limit yourself to just using vanilla extract in cakes, though that’s where it shines! But you can also mix it into passion fruit cocktails like porn star martini, blend it into smoothies, vanilla ice cream or even give your morning vanilla coffee a flavor boost by tossing in a few tablespoons before brewing. A few generous drops of vanilla extract go a long way, so go easy and savor the flavor!

Top Vanilla Beans to Make Vanilla Extract

There isn’t just one type for everyone. Instead, I recommend you to explore different varieties of vanilla beans to find out what fits your culinary needs. These are some of my favorite picks for vanilla extract:

• Madagascar vanilla beans are a top pick for making vanilla extract. These are my favorite vanilla beans of all types. They’re derived from the Vanilla planifolia orchid, originally from Mexico and Belize. Madagascar vanilla is incredibly popular, making up around 80% of the world’s vanilla bean consumption. It’s likely the same type you’ll find in many baked goods, ice creams, and chocolates. Known for its rich, creamy, and slightly smoky flavor with hints of cocoa, Madagascar vanilla is reliable, reasonably priced, and readily available in large quantities.
• Ugandan vanilla beans are known for their bold flavor, which is rich in notes of milk chocolate and ripe figs. Uganda is unique as it has two growing seasons, providing fresh vanilla beans all year round. Ugandan vanilla beans still stand out for their high vanillin content and often lower price than Madagascar vanilla.
• Comoros vanilla beans from the West Indian region offer a delightful bourbon-type flavor that’s deeper and richer than many others. While a bit pricier, Comoros vanilla is exceptional for making extracts that bring a unique touch to your dishes, something you won’t typically find on store shelves.

FAQs

Can You Use Expired Vanilla Extract?

You can keep using vanilla extract for six months to a year after the date on the bottle as long as it still looks and smells fine. But you should be aware that both real and imitation vanilla can spoil if you don’t store them correctly.

Can You Get Sick By Using Expired Vanilla Extract?

No, it’s highly unlikely that consuming expired vanilla extract will make you ill or sick, so you don’t need to worry about it getting contaminated with bacteria as long as you’ve stored it properly. This is because vanilla extract has about 35% alcohol in it.

But there is an expiration date for a reason. Over time, the flavor of actual vanilla extract can fade and not taste as strong. If you’re using vanilla extract that’s old or past its date, you might need to use more of it to get the flavor you want in your recipes.

What Are the Best Vanilla Beans for Making Vanilla Extract?

Actual vanilla beans come from the dried and cured fruit pods of the orchid Vanilla planifolia. It is one of the most popular flavors in the world and was first used by Aztec people in Mexico to enhance flavors of cocoa. There are more than 150 types, each with its own unique taste. However, the highest quality vanilla beans are:

• Madagascar Vanilla Beans
• Mexican Vanilla Beans
• Ugandan Vanilla Beans
• Tahitian Vanilla Beans
• Vanilla Beans from Papua New Guinea
• Vanilla Beans from Indonesia

What Is the Best Way to Keep Real Vanilla Beans Fresh?

I recommend storing your actual vanilla beans in an airtight container in a cool or dark place at room temperature. The ideal temperature is between 15-25 degrees Celsius.

You should never keep your vanilla beans in the refrigerator or fridge because this way, your vanilla pods can lose their freshness or dry out. This excess moisture can promote a fungal growth that will affect your vanilla beans.

Should You Refrigerate or Freeze Real Vanilla Extract?

No, you shouldn’t refrigerate or freeze real vanilla extract once you’ve opened the bottle. This is because if you store it in low temperatures (fridge or freezer), it may become cloudy. Instead, find a cool, dry spot in your kitchen cupboard away from any heat sources like the stove. This is the best way to keep your vanilla extract fresh for a long time.

Does Imitation Vanilla Extract Expire?

Imitation vanilla extract can last a long time if you store it right, but it’s not going to stay good forever. Even past its expiration date, you can expect it to keep its flavor for about 6 to 12 months. After that, imitation vanilla extract might not taste as strong or as good as it should.

How Long Does Vanilla Extract Last?

When you store vanilla extract the right way, it can last forever. However, for the best taste and smell, try to use it within five years. Make sure to keep pure vanilla extract in a cool, dark place. There’s no need to refrigerate or freeze it, even after you’ve opened it.

Why Does Vanilla Extract Contain Alcohol?

When you buy vanilla extract, it must have 35% alcohol by law. This is because alcohol is really good at pulling out the flavor from the vanilla beans. Don’t worry, though, when you cook or bake with it, the alcohol will evaporate. If a vanilla product doesn’t have alcohol, it’s called vanilla flavoring instead.

Summing Up

To sum up, vanilla extract, whether pure or imitation, is a versatile and beloved ingredient in baking and beyond. Pure vanilla extract, made from pure vanilla beans soaked in a mixture of water and alcohol, boasts a complex and rich flavor profile that can elevate any dessert. It’s incredibly shelf-stable due to its high alcohol content, generally lasting indefinitely when stored properly in a cool, dark place. On the other hand, imitation vanilla extract provides a more cost-effective alternative but lacks the depth of flavor found in pure extract and typically has a shorter shelf life.

Proper storage is necessary to keep the quality and longevity of vanilla extract. Keeping it in a tightly sealed dark bottle away from extreme temperatures and light will help preserve its flavor and prevent spoilage. While pure vanilla extract can last for years, allowing its flavors to enhance over time, remember to check for signs of spoilage such as mold, an off smell, or cloudiness.

By understanding the differences between pure and imitation vanilla extract and following best practices for storage and usage, you can ensure that this popular ingredient continues to provide its signature sweet, creamy, and rich flavor to your culinary creations.