I opened the bottle of your vanilla extract last weekend to bake some cookies and the difference in taste is extraordinary." – Judy

Pure Mexican Vanilla

Patricia Rain

Vanilla Planifolia is the variety of vanilla plant that has fueled the world’s desire for our favorite flavor and fragrance. It grows naturally in the tropical areas of Mexico, Central America and northern South America as well as in the Caribbean.

Until the twentieth century, all the vanilla that came into the United States came from Mexico. Because Mexico is the birthplace of vanilla, we consumers assume that it must sell the best extracts. In fact, it doesn’t! Nearly all of the extracts made and sold in Mexico or in Mexican markets in the US are imitation. Pay no attention to the labels as label laws are not enforced in Mexico. It’s imitation vanilla with potentially dangerous ingredients. If you want pure Mexican vanilla extract, buy it in the U.S. from reputable dealers.

Vanilla is a food of the Americas. While there are a variety of wild species of vanilla growing around the world, it was in what is now Mexico and Guatemala, that vanilla was first used as a sacred plant. Dried vanilla beans perfumed altars and the flowers were placed in amulets to protect against the evil eye. Later it was used to flavor a variety of beverages such as atoles and chocolatl. Cortez brought Mexican vanilla and cocoa beans to Spain, triggering a fad, which quickly became a passion that continues to grow more than five hundred years later.

Pure Mexican vanilla extract is a very smooth, creamy, spicy vanilla. It’s especially good in desserts made without heat or with a short cooking time. Dark chocolate, cream desserts, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, ethnic foods, wild game, poultry or meat, all benefit from Mexican vanilla. It is a good all-around vanilla for baking as well.

Because Mexico is the birthplace of vanilla and was first domesticated there, the Mexican growers and processors have a long history of producing beautiful, flexible vanilla beans that make exquisite extracts.

Rain’s Choice Pure Mexican Vanilla Extract contains high-quality vanilla bean extractives, distilled water, sugar cane alcohol, which is completely gluten-free, and 3% piloncillo, the nutrient-dense first extraction from sugar cane. The piloncillo adds a delicate caramel note to the extract. There are no other additives in the extract. You can be assured that our pure Mexican vanilla extract is the best available.

When you buy Rain’s Choice vanilla products, you are helping us to continue our work with farmers worldwide. Thank you for your support.

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Patricia Rain

Patricia Rain is an author, educator, culinary historian, and owner of The Vanilla Company (www.vanillaqueen.com), a socially conscious, product-driven information and education site dedicated to the promotion of pure, natural vanilla, and the support of vanilla farmers worldwide. She also does culinary presentations for food professionals, cooking schools, trade shows, food fairs, and private groups, and is a regular radio and TV guest.

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Verified Customer Review

I was given a small bottle of Rain’s Choice in a gift basket and I have been hooked ever since. The flavor makes all of my baking so much better! I will never use grocery store vanilla again!