Vainilla
This is a post about an empty bottle of vanilla. I know, I'm grasping. My parents brought it back from Mexico. That would make it Mexican vanilla or VAIN-ILLA, which makes me thinks it was harvested from a vein out of Godzilla. Guess how long I've had it? Did you guess 14 years? 
It was as old as my daughter. Is it creepy that I was using 14 year old VAINILLA in my recipes? Is it creepier that it took me 14 years to consume it? Does VAINILLA ever go bad? I'm thinking, no it's soaked in some sort of alcohol, so it should last for eternity....right? Is it strange to have such an ENORMOUS bottle of VAINILLA in the first place? What were the people producing this VAINILLA thinking? Are they recycling old water bottles? Is it, or rather, was it even vanilla to begin with?
VAINILLA is very potent, so if a recipe called for one teaspoon of vanilla I learned very quickly to use four or five droplets of VAINILLA. If I used too much, then whatever I was baking would taste like something tropical, sort of coconutty. Again I ask, was it really vanilla?
21 comments:
Hey! I love real vanilla, too! I think Vainilla is the spanish word for vanilla, and it might be that your fabulous bottle was some really great Mexican vanilla, which is said to be really strong and flavorful. If you wanted to keep your bottle going, it seems to be easy to make your own, and it's SO much better than most regular store vanillas. Here's Joy of Cooking's suggestion on making your own http://www.joyofbaking.com/Vanilla.html. I knew a lady who made terrific vanilla herself by decanting some brandy into a container such as yours and then splitting vanilla pods (can be bought in spice section of grocery store) and dropping them into it to soak...(I think forever? you can remove them at some point) I'm going to try it some day :)
I use up a bottle about half that size every year! But I don't have to cut it for the potency. I get the big ol' bottle from Sam's. It is a much better price than buying little bottles from the grocery store. So you can get another big bottle after all!
I still have one third bottle left of my vainilla if you want some more.
I was just thinking the other day about my ginormous bottle of Mexican Vainilla. I was putting some in an almond cake and wondering what the flecks floating around the bottom are. Oh well, I'll just be sure not to shake it up too much when I pour it.
I've only used about a fourth a bottle and I've had mine for a couple of years. I keep it out on the counter (I know, how tacky.) I like the label. It's got what's looks like an indian squaw offering up a vanilla flower to some kind of a rooster god. And of course, the color scheme is red, yellow and green. Those Mexicans. They have a way with labels.
My mother has a small jar of Vicks Vap-O-Rub from 1955 which IS STILL GOOD. As far as vanilla goes, mine is brand new.
My nephew was in DelRio, TX for 13 months of training at Laughlin AFB. I used to send a box of biscotti or brownies every 3 weeks or so for him to share with his classmates. For Christmas 2006 he gave me a 355 ml (12 oz) bottle of Danncy Pure Vainilla that he picked up in Mexico. Many of his classmates also bought it for their loved ones. My bottle is almost gone and he's no longer in DelRio (and hopes to never go back there again!). I have 4 or 5 other bottles, I really love Wilton's clear (imitation) for white cookies.
all hail the vainilla.
you're so vain
you prolly think this song is about you
you're so vain
--iloveupstate
stooppiddd blogger won't let me post as me...
You ARE keeping the bottle, aren't you? Surely, a 14 year-old bottle attached to so many baking memories would not be thrown out into the cold, cruel world only to land in the recycle bin, would it?
It's going to turn into a wild flower vase or something, right?! : )
I can't tell you the number of times I have said, "Hey Adrian, write your blog!"
But they don't do they? Nope, just critique ours!
I think it's cool. I still have a jar of something (label peeled off) that The Man bought when we got married and he undertook the task of shopping to fill up our house. I can't remember what it was but it was totally useless and after many years, well it's just a great memory.
Keep your bottle!!!!!!!!!
This post was funny! I have a friend who announced to a group of us once, well, my husband and I have finally used the last Qtip from the humungous box we got at Costco when we were first together five or seven years ago....anyhow, she thought it was a moment to reflect on, too.
That's kind of gross. Are you going to keep the bottle as a kind of memorial?
I have a poo story on my blog today. Just so you know.
NO! I am NOT keeping an old, stained, sticky plastic bottle! GROSS!
Okay, you all must know that I have very little sentimental attachment to things. I find joy in getting rid of things, it makes me feel better.
This post is so boring.
Mexican vanilla tastes like it has a bit of Kaluha in it for those of you have never had it.
Although a friend of mine informed me this weekend of one of the 'secret' ingredients in Mexican vanilla so I'm not as keen on it as I was before. I haven't investigated the information yet so I'm not going to repeat it here at this time.
Check this out
http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/mexicanvanilla102908.html
I found some of this vainilla in the store a couple of weeks ago and after reading this, I took it right back. Sad thing is, I have been through two big bottles of this type of vanilla in the past. I really like it, but won't use it again. I am making my own now.
If fou are looking for the best mexican vanilla you should try la vencedora they have been in business since 1917 and does not contain cummarin. A good place to find it is on ebay
if you want quality original pure vanilla without cummarin buy Danncy Brand
check out danncy.com free shipping
I buy Danncy clear vanilla off of Ebay --4 bottles at a time. I pay an average of 8 dollars a quart --it's only $5 if you go into Mexico and get it. It contains no coumarin. It tastes great and I use a whole lot of it.
I bought a bottle of Danncy vanilla in Tiajuana 20 years ago. Anything I put it in has a wonderful flavor and folks are always commenting on how fantastic my cooking is. It's the vanilla! I have been rationing this bottle for the last few years as I did not realize I could get it online! I was greatly relieved! My bottle is not sticky or yucky, like some posters have said, and of course, vanilla does not go bad because of the alcohol content, so it is not 'gross' like other posters have blogged. Fantastic vanilla! I am so glad to have found it online. Yay!
The guy is definitely just, and there's no doubt.
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