On Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 9:21:43 AM UTC-10, Judy wrote:
> On Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 10:34:09 AM UTC-8, Kalmia wrote:
> > Maybe I was overwrought by the relatively low price for a huge bottle of vanilla - 8 oz - now I'm wondering if it'll go off. I probably use about 3 oz per year, if that.
> >
> > I also bought the 10 lb. King Arthur tho and I just KNOW that won't go to waste.
>
> I buy the pure vanilla extract at Costco and it
> comes in good size bottles (too lazy to get up
> and look!) and it's dated. I bake a lot so go through
> it pretty fast, so I've never been concerned about
> using it all before the date expires.
>
> If you don't use a lot of vanilla, I'd just buy
> the smallest bottle I could find at the supermarket.
>
> My rule of thumb I go by, is the smell, if it still
> smells good, then I'd say it's fine, but if the smell
> is starting to get weaker, or smells odd, dump it down
> the sink and go get a new bottle. It seems that the
> shelf life is quite awhile.
>
> Judy

Costco is a great place to get vanilla extract. I tend to use a lot. The recipes from when I was learning to cook used vanilla in tiny amounts. The good news is that in this modern world, the trend is to use the stuff freely. Be bold and unafraid! :-)