Well I find it tastes slightly different from other vanilla...but outside of that use it as you would any vanilla.
Linda C

Mexican vanilla is best in uncooked recipes or those where the cooking time is brief. It doesn't hold up well added, say, to a cookie dough and baked. Good in chocolate desserts, pastry creams, vanilla vinaigrette, meats or poultry, etc.

The flavor is different, creamy and spicy.

The problem with buying Mexican vanilla in-country, as opposed to what's imported, is that Mexico doesn't enforce its labelling laws. So the fact that a label says "coumarin-free" or "pure vanilla" doesn't mean it's true. The overwhelming majority of Mexican "vanilla" sold in Mexico is synthetic or a synthetic-pure blend; it's a huge money-maker, especially to the tourist market, and there's no disincentive for lying about what the product really is.

Carol

Oh that's so sad. She went out of her way to give me something special. So I shoud throw it out rather than risk the coumarin aspect? Thanks for your answers.

It is sad. I don't have an answer for you. I reluctantly discarded a bottle of Mexican vanilla for the same reason.

The friend's thoughtfulness isn't negated; most travelers would trust the label. Here's an article talking about purchasing vanilla in Cabo San Lucas that capsulizes the issue.

I have heard of one brand regarded as reliable - Orlando - which is mentioned on the page.

Carol

Here is a link that might be useful: Fake Vanilla

I agree, her kindness is not negated. I wanted to make her something with it, but I guess I'll do something else to thank her. phooey on that ol' vanilla. Mine isn't Orlando :(

I've used Mexican vanilla for years and years and years. The first bottle I bought in Matamoros, probably back in the 70's. After that, I've bought it in the U.S. I've used it for baking and for anything that calls for vanilla. It never occured to me it might be fake. I thought the flavor was excellent. That could be because I didn't know any better, or it could be I lucked out. Nope, I just looked at the ingredient list, and it contains vanilla beans as the first ingredient, but it also has artificial vanilla and (aghast!) corn syrup. Next time I buy vanilla I'll spring for the real stuff. This stuff was much, much cheaper than the Madagascar vanilla, which should have told me something right there.

Sally

If you buy Mexican vanilla imported into the U.S. it will be more expensive, but you can trust what the label says.

It still is really difficult to find pure Mexican vanilla. Most of what's imported is also synthetic or a synthetic blend. It is worth it to find the real thing. The flavor is wonderful.

My personal favorite for vanilla is Arizona Vanilla Company

They also sell on ebay. I found them the best combination of price and quality. If you get on their email list, they're running a 15%-off special until March 1.

The company below has excellent vanilla, but it's more expensive. However, it's worth wandering around the site, especially the recipe archive.

Carol

Here is a link that might be useful: The Vanilla Company

Here's the deal, she got it in Mexico. Cozumel, at that little touristy strip mall, Los Cinco Soles, and it is the actual "brand name" on it. Coumarin free or not? I'm not worried about fake, but toxic is not something to be played with.

Last time I was in Mexico the "pure vanilla" was everywhere and so, so cheap. I resisted because it didn't seem right to me....how could it be so common, I mean it is everywhere, every stand and stall, and so cheap, seemed hard to believe it was real? I decided against it and am glad I did.

Your friend meant well but that stuff is anything but pure.

Is a quart of vanilla in Mexico for the price of a tiny bottle at home too good to be true? Yep.

BTW, I resent the use of the term "plain vanilla". What is "plain" about a flavor derived from the seed pods of orchids? It is one of the most elegant flavors ever made.

The first time I went to Mexico in the late '80s I bought home a bottle of vanilla. I did not like it at all in my baked goods, the flavor was just off and did not seem to last long. I ended up throwing it out.

Also when we went through customs they counted the Vanilla as alcohol, and we were only allowed 1 bottle of liquor per person.

Michelle

Jimster, my DH got so mad at me the first time I used the phrase, "plain vanilla" when I was referring to ice cream. I may have even said "plain ol' vanilla." Vanilla ice cream is his favorite flavor, and he finds nothing plain about it. At the time, I just couldn't understand, but being a chocoholic, vanilla ice cream was just something to put chocolate syrup or chocolate chips into. He has since educated me about the nuances of vanilla, and if and when I buy ice cream, (not nearly as often as I'd like) I make sure to bring home Blue Bell's Natural Vanilla Bean. It's definitely not plain tasting. (But I still put chocolate syrup on it!)

Sally

Good for your DH, Sally. And good for you. It's nice to know someone shares my feelings on that subject.

I can enjoy a dish of vanilla ice cream with no topping. I can also enjoy one topped with strawberries, butterscotch or chocolate.