Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract Review

Most bakeries ensure their use of the finest ingredients in their baked goods which made me wonder why I don't do the same.  I never really had a brand preference when it came to ingredients, but I was running low on vanilla extract and decided to do a little research.  I discovered that Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has been crafting the world's finest vanillas and flavors since 1907.

I quickly ordered a bottle of their Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste.  The paste is made with premium, hand-selected beans cultivated on the Bourbon Island of Madagascar which results in a sweet and creamy flavor.  Within a few days of receiving my purchase, I also received a complimentary bottle of their Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract to review for Hawaii Mom Blog.

The timing of this coincidence led me to conduct a little taste test.  I made two batches of chocolate chip cookies using the two different vanillas.  While both batches came out delicious, my lucky taste testers preferred the cookies made with the vanilla bean paste.  The cookies had a richer vanilla taste and I personally liked the visual of the vanilla bean specks.

I wasn't aware that there were so many different kinds of vanilla extract so I jumped on Nielsen-Massey's site to find out the difference.  I learned that the Tahitian vanilla features a floral, fruity, and cherry-like flavor.  The Tahitian vanilla is also very susceptible to heat and is best used in cold dishes so I decided to try it in a vanilla pudding.  See how it turned out here.   

On their website, Nielsen-Massey offers many recipes that can be sorted by product.  Here's another one to use with the Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract:

Lemon-Vanilla Simple Syrup (½ Cup)

Ingredients ¾ cup water ½ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Lemon Extract ½ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions In a small saucepan, add water, sugar and lemon extract; stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until syrup reduces, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat. After syrup has cooled, add vanilla extract and stir. Refrigerate unused syrup in an airtight container.

Lemon Lime Raspberry Twist (Serves 1)

Ingredients 6 fresh raspberries ½ ounce fresh lime juice ½ ounce Lemon-Vanilla Simple Syrup 1 ounce vodka 2 ounces organic lemon sparkling water lime twist 2 frozen raspberries orange wedge Directions In a cocktail shaker, muddle fresh raspberries, lime juice and Lemon-Vanilla Simple Syrup. Add vodka and sparkling water; shake and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Drop lime twist and frozen raspberries into glass. Top with a freshly squeezed orange wedge.

Complimentary product was received for review purposes.  All opinions are entirely my own.