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Vox Humana
 
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"pete" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> hi,
>
> i was wondering if Real Vanilla is worth the premium?
>
> will it make my chocolate chip cookies,
> or hot chocolate taste that much better?
> i've seen it in large bottles at Costco


I know this is going to be completely horrifying to most people but I will
say it none-the-less. The folks at Cooks Illustrated did a study of this
subject a few years back and came to the following conclusion. For products
where the flavoring is added prior to baking/cooking/heating, there is no
distinguishable difference between imitation vanilla and real vanilla. For
products where the flavoring is added and no cooking takes place (ice cream,
frosting, etc.), real vanilla is the product of choice. Therefore, I have
both on my shelf. As you point out, you can get about a pint of artificial
vanilla at Costco for about a nickel (OK, I exaggerate a bit here). I would
recommend that you get the large bottle of synthetic vanilla from Costco and
a small bottle of real vanilla. Do a blind taste test and see what you
prefer. I suspect that you won't be able to tell the difference in the
cookies and you may be able to distinguish in the hot chocolate. If you
hate the artificial stuff, give it to someone. You will only be out a
nickel.