Vanilla

[neelu]

Salam,

Are we allowed to cook with vanilla extract or does the process make it haraam (apparently they use alcohol somehow to extract it).

[hammerofthehuns]

ive heard it said, best check with someone of knowledge, i personally dont accept it cos u could eat it all day long and not get affected, Islams not about going 2 extremes and making things difficult.

[Asmara]

It's not halal because it contains a small amount of alcohol.

[dour]

It's not halal because it contains a small amount of alcohol.
Milk, bread, fruit, juice also contains a small amount of alcohol.

[Ignatius F. Peace]

use real vanilla beans instead of extract ... problem solved ... next? ...

[Hisham Abu]

use real vanilla beans instead of extract ... problem solved ... next? ...Vanilla pods?

[Mace]

Vanilla pods?

Yes, you slice them lengthwise and then slide the seeds off with the back of your knife. You can then use the seeds and the pod itself for flavor.

[Hisham Abu]

Yes, you slice them lengthwise and then slide the seeds off with the back of your knife. You can then use the seeds and the pod itself for flavor.Oh, I see. Thank you for the information. I always heard them refered to as pods, and not seeds.

[Reema]

I use both pods and essence, its usually best to buy a really good brand for essence and not the cheap £1 crap which tastes like everything but vanilla. The one I have costs £9 and is alcohol free but its amazing for cooking sweet things plus it lasts a long time, since its strong-you only need to use a little each time.

[neelu]

Wow, I've not heard of alcohol free vanilla extract before. I wouldn't mind getting hold of some of that:up: I agree with Iggy that when in doubt, people can just use the pods or seeds but it's just that there's a gathering I'm thinking of attending within the next few weeks at a cafe which uses vanilla in it's creme brulee and I wanted to double check whether it would be okay to eat.

[summer786]

use real vanilla beans instead of extract ... problem solved ... next? ...

but then millie's cookies have vanilla extract, Allah knows what else has it too. You could be eating it everyday and just not notice.

[afsalim]

Vanilla is a flavouring derived from orchids in the genus Vanilla native to Mexico. There is nothing haraam about it.

[afsalim]

Vanilla is a flavouring derived from orchids in the genus Vanilla native to Mexico. The flavour is extracted from the pods of the Vanilla orchids. What is haraam in that?

[Mace]

Vanilla is a flavouring derived from orchids in the genus Vanilla native to Mexico. The flavour is extracted from the pods of the Vanilla orchids. What is haraam in that?

I think it's vanilla extract that is considered haraam by many because it contains alcohol. Actually a very high percentage of alcohol. That's how it's made.

[afsalim]

I think it's vanilla extract that is considered haraam by many because it contains alcohol. Actually a very high percentage of alcohol. That's how it's made.

I stand corrected! Vanilla extracts are usually made by cooking the vanilla pods in ethanol and water for 48 hours.

[Mace]

I think you are referring to Vanilla flavoured vodka, not the vanilla essence.

:) No, vanilla extract. That's the liquid flavoring that people use in cooking. The liquid is partly alcohol. It's made by soaking vanilla beans in ethanol.

[dour]

:) No, vanilla extract. That's the liquid flavoring that people use in cooking. The liquid is partly alcohol. It's made by soaking vanilla beans in ethanol.

but also consider you only use a small amount of Vanilla extract for any given recipe, and it is cooked.. which means much of the already small alcohol is burned away.

[abdulhakeem]

use vanilla beans/pods. you wont regret it.

some tips to detect good vanilla beans/pods:

if it glitters in the glas then its a good vanilla. if the amount of vanilla is very high then the bean/pods "throws" it out as cristalls. at times they will grow to bars with a length of half a cm. it looks great - almost spun - and should not be mistaken with mould. but the bean/pod should not be white as snow which means that artificial vanillin was sprayed on it. you may recognize it when the white colour is too even and natural cristallization does not produce such a glowing white. if you are shaking the glas and it rustles then you better put it away again. the seeds will crumble between your fingers because the bean/pod is too dry. therefore you should prefer thicker beans which wont dry out that quickly.

most ppl are astonished when they are smelling real vanilla for the first time. it does not smell sweet - rather bitter such as leather, black olives or tobacco. then it also depends on the place of origin, i.e. india tastes earthy or burned wood, congo is fresher like wet forrest soil, fresh mushrooms with a light citric aroma. odor and taste do not have much in common. for instance vanilla tahitensis smells like schnaps, bitter pomace and liquorice but in your mouth it is like a sweet flowery bouquet of orchids. bourbon vanilla on the other hand has an odour of violets and fermented tea but on your tongue its like an opulent aroma of lily. many people think that vanilla from tahiti is the best because it is most expensive. this however has another reason. tahiti only produces 8 tons a year while bourbon vanilla (mostly from madagascar) is produced in quantities like 2.5 k - 2.7 k tons a year. there is no best vanilla - it simply has to do with your personal taste.