At Aged Vanilla Company, we prioritize bold, aged pure vanilla flavor over the initial aroma that greets you when you first open a bottle.
The FDA mandates that pure vanilla extract contains at least 35% alcohol. This alcohol is essential; it acts as a solvent to extract and preserve the vital vanilla flavor compounds we cherish. Extracts with alcohol content up to 40% can enhance the extraction process and maintain flavor quality longer than those with just 35%. We believe that keeping the alcohol content within this range optimizes flavor extraction while preserving the timeless essence of our aged extracts.
When you first crack open a bottle of pure vanilla extract, the dominant scent is often the alcohol itself. If you encounter a vanilla extract with an overpowering vanilla aroma right out of the bottle, it may not be pure. Imitation vanilla, which can contain less than 2% alcohol, won’t deliver the same depth of scent as a genuine extract. Many commercial products rely on additives like sugars or artificial flavorings that enhance the vanilla aroma but are unable to match the richness and complexity of flavors extracted from real vanilla beans.
When alcohol content is 35% or greater, the alcohol scent tends to dominate a newly opened bottle, especially with minimal headspace. Aged vanilla, much like fine wine, deserves a moment to breathe. Instead of diving in right away, try gently aerating the bottle opening—move it slowly back and forth under your nose or lightly fan it with your hand, like a mini chemistry experiment. After all, you’re after the vanilla scent, not the evaporating alcohol vapors!
Here’s the good news: as you use your extract, the alcohol gradually evaporates, allowing the concentrated vanilla flavor to emerge and reveal their full aromatic potential. This change is most noticeable around the cap area. Rest assured, every bottle of our aged vanillas delivers the unparalleled, rich vanilla flavor that our customers expect from pure vanilla extract.
Ready to experience the magic firsthand? Explore our range of Vanilla Extracts and elevate your culinary creations to new heights!
Insightful FAQs
Pure vanilla extract contains at least 35% alcohol, as required by the FDA, and this alcohol plays a crucial role in extracting the natural vanilla flavor from the beans and preserving the flavors once extracted. When you first open a bottle, the alcohol is the most prominent scent because it’s acting as a solvent that releases the complex flavor compounds. Over time, as the alcohol evaporates with use, the deep, rich vanilla aroma will take center stage. This is an essential part of the process and actually helps ensure the extract maintains its robust flavor longer.
Yes, it’s completely normal for pure vanilla extract to smell like alcohol when you first open it. The alcohol is essential for extracting the natural flavors from the vanilla beans. As the alcohol evaporates over time, the rich vanilla flavor becomes more noticeable. If you detect a strong vanilla scent right away, it may indicate low alcohol content (pure extracts must contain at least 35% alcohol) or the presence of artificial additives. High-quality extracts, like those from Aged Vanilla Company, have the perfect balance of alcohol to extract and preserve the true vanilla flavor.
