Vanilla Essence Overview
Vanilla essence is a flavouring typically used in desserts to enhance the flavour. It is made of artificial processes. Vanilla essence is often confused with vanilla extract because both look and taste almost the same. Vanilla extract is the original product, and it is produced from natural sources. It is produced by soaking vanilla beans in Alcohol whereas vanilla essence is made with artificial products and flavours. These are typically used in making desserts. It gives a unique hint to the flavour of desserts.
Vanilla essence is cheaper than vanilla extract. You can conveniently use vanilla essence if baking in enormous quantities. Bakeries and Street cafes typically use vanilla essence in their desserts and cakes while high-end cafes and restaurants follow a certain standard and use better-quality products to enhance the flavours of the food.
Vanilla extract has a stronger flavour compared to vanilla essence. Vanilla essence flavours blend up with the rest of the mixture and do not outshine while a drop of vanilla extract is enough to show its presence.
Vanilla essence is a chemically made product, so it is impossible to make it at home while vanilla extract can be made at home, but it requires a lot of effort to make it at home.
Usage of Vanilla Essence
- Vanilla essence is used for baking, making sauces and puddings.
- Vanilla essence is also added in a few of the beverages.
- Vanilla essence is also sometimes added in the tea, coffee and green tea to enhance the flavour and to add aroma in it.
- Vanilla also has medicinal properties. It is often applied to the burns.
Advantages of Vanilla essence
Low calories and less fat
Vanilla essence is used to enhance the flavour of baking goods. Baking goods are typically rich in fat and contain high-calorie content. The vanilla essence contains a lesser number of calories and enhances the flavour of food without adding extra calories.
Contains low amounts of Sodium
Vanilla essence only contains a milligram of Sodium. Many baking goods already contain a good amount of Sodium. Keeping the low amount of Sodium in vanilla essence keeps you safe from many health diseases like heart attack and high blood pressure. In this way, you can enjoy a good amount of vanilla essence in your baking goods and enjoy your meal.
Disadvantages of vanilla Essence
Low minerals and vitamins
Vanilla essence is produced through a chemical process and does not contain any natural ingredient which makes it low in vitamins and minerals. It does not contain any essential nutrients required in the diet. Vanilla essence is used in small amounts and is used to enhance flavours so we must not look for nutrients in it. We can get nutrients from many other sources.
May contain Alcohol
Some people do not consume Alcohol, and it is also forbidden in some religions. Many brands do not add Alcohol in the essence while some do so always look for the ingredients on the package. Some people are also allergic to a few of the ingredients so; it is better to look into ingredients before buying a product.
Contains Chemical additives
Vanilla essence is a chemically produced product that is why it is cheaper. It is made out of cheaper products and chemically produced compounds that can be damaging to your health. Few of the vanilla essence contains a compound called lignin vanillin in place of vanilla pods, and few of the vanilla essence are made out of glycerine or glycol.
Vanilla essence is easily available at every super-store in Pakistan. It is less costly as compared to vanilla extract.