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How much Vanilla Extract equals one Vanilla Bean?

elmomonster | Aug 4, 200610:54 PM 24

Vanilla Bean Vanilla Extract Units and Measures Extracts

I've got a recipe which calls for one vanilla bean, but I've got a lot of Bourbon Vanilla Extract I'd rather use.

How much of the Vanilla Extract shall I use to equal the flavor of one vanilla bean?

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How much Vanilla Extract equals one Vanilla Bean?

24 Comments

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foiegras 08/04/0611:08PM Practically all recipes seem to call for the same amount of vanilla extract. I'd just use what you use in other recipes.

Practically all recipes seem to call for the same amount of vanilla extract. I'd just use what you use in other recipes.
Trixie Too 08/07/06 3:51AM According to this site, one inch of vanilla bean is equal to one teaspoon of vanilla extract. http://www.culinarycafe.com/Spices_Herbs...

According to this site, one inch of vanilla bean is equal to one teaspoon of vanilla extract.

http://www.culinarycafe.com/Spices_He...

The amount of vanilla extract certainly does differ from recipe to recipe.
1. PBSF 08/07/06 4:07AM re: Trixie Too A typical vanilla bean is about 8 inches which would equal to about 8 teaspoons of extract. That might be too much extract for most...
  
  A typical vanilla bean is about 8 inches which would equal to about 8 teaspoons of extract. That might be too much extract for most recipes.
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  foiegras 08/07/06 9:48PM re: Trixie Too I would venture that there are tens of thousands of recipes that call for a teaspoon of vanilla. I generally use a generous teaspoon...
  
  I would venture that there are tens of thousands of recipes that call for a teaspoon of vanilla. I generally use a generous teaspoon. As Trixie mentions, 8 is very likely to be overkill. I have never in my life seen a recipe that called for even a third that much.
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    IceCreamYouScream 05/04/14 2:03PM re: foiegras I have a recipe for vanilla bean ice cream (custard style) which calls for 1 whole vanilla bean and the recipe yields 10 half-cup...
    
    I have a recipe for vanilla bean ice cream (custard style) which calls for 1 whole vanilla bean and the recipe yields 10 half-cup servings.So 8 doesn't seem to be overkill there.
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      foiegras 05/08/14 2:39PM re: IceCreamYouScream On what basis? Many cookie recipes calling for 1 t vanilla extract yield several dozen. One can double that with only positive...
      
      On what basis?
      
      Many cookie recipes calling for 1 t vanilla extract yield several dozen. One can double that with only positive effects, but octupling it still seems ill-advised to me.
    2. j
      janccd 10/02/14 3:27PM re: IceCreamYouScream That's different. In recipes where vanilla is the primary flavor, like vanilla ice cream, you would use a whole pod. In regular...
      
      That's different. In recipes where vanilla is the primary flavor, like vanilla ice cream, you would use a whole pod. In regular baking of cakes, etc. you certainly wouldn't use a whole pod. You would only require an equivalent of 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, which would be only one to two inches of a pod in length.
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        dvsb1234 07/31/1512:52PM re: janccd I agree. I make 1 gallon of vanilla ice cream and use 3 Tablespoons of vanilla and it is wonderful. That is the equivalent to 9...
        
        I agree. I make 1 gallon of vanilla ice cream and use 3 Tablespoons of vanilla and it is wonderful. That is the equivalent to 9 teaspoons of vanilla (3 teaspoons per Tablespoon)
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Pupster 08/08/06 2:01PM 1 vanilla bean = 2 tsp of extract Pretty standard.

1 vanilla bean = 2 tsp of extract

Pretty standard.

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IceCreamYouScream
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  IceCreamYouScream 05/04/14 2:12PM re: Pupster I am more inclined to agree with your answer. The vanilla beans I have are 6 inches long and my ice cream recipe that makes 5 cups...
  
  I am more inclined to agree with your answer. The vanilla beans I have are 6 inches long and my ice cream recipe that makes 5 cups calls for 1 whole vanilla bean. I have tried it before, and it is not too much vanilla. I disagree with those who are saying 1 inch of vanilla bean is equal to 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
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  kittykat54 08/22/14 3:58PM re: Pupster Thank you pupster!!!
  
  Thank you pupster!!!
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  Sarbear2004 05/14/1610:26AM re: Pupster Thank you! I have been looking at all of these different, long statements about, "Well, in my recipe..." Thanks for being frank!
  
  Thank you! I have been looking at all of these different, long statements about, "Well, in my recipe..." Thanks for being frank!
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johnajay 09/07/14 7:06AM I get a lot of my spices from a website called Savory Spice Shop. According to them 1 vanilla bean is equal to about 1 tbsp of extract...

I get a lot of my spices from a website called Savory Spice Shop. According to them 1 vanilla bean is equal to about 1 tbsp of extract.
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Skamper 09/07/14 5:52PM I use Nielsen-Massey vanilla paste, and according to the bottle: 1 tbsp. vanilla paste = 1 vanilla bean = 1 tbsp. vanilla extract

I use Nielsen-Massey vanilla paste, and according to the bottle: 1 tbsp. vanilla paste = 1 vanilla bean = 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
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maliakaitlin 11/12/14 6:41PM I want to make pastry cream, it calls for one vanilla bean which, I don't have can I substitute vanilla extract and if so how much...

I want to make pastry cream, it calls for one vanilla bean which, I don't have can I substitute vanilla extract and if so how much vanilla extract should I use? I'm assuming 1tsp. but not sure. Anyone know the answer? Thank you.
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Vinnie Vidimangi 07/31/15 2:48PM What does the recipe tell you to do with the vanilla bean?

What does the recipe tell you to do with the vanilla bean?
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JRC14 07/31/15 2:54PM The strength of vanilla extracts vary, even within the same brand. Am I the only one who tastes batters and icings to gauge the...

The strength of vanilla extracts vary, even within the same brand. Am I the only one who tastes batters and icings to gauge the amount of flavorings, salt, etc.? Don't guess, dip a spoon (or finger) in it and taste it!
drongo 07/31/15 2:54PM I know this is a 9 year old Zombie thread, but... my "go to" site for substitutions is http://www.foodsubs.com (or for the specific...

I know this is a 9 year old Zombie thread, but... my "go to" site for substitutions is http://www.foodsubs.com (or for the specific page that has vanilla bean http://www.foodsubs.com/SpiceUniv.html )
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  Vinnie Vidimangi 07/31/15 3:02PM re: drongo drongo. one inch bean = one tsp. extract? Who is going to believe this?
  
  drongo. one inch bean = one tsp. extract? Who is going to believe this?
  1. drongo 07/31/15 3:12PM re: Vinnie Vidimangi Noelle Carter at LA Times says 1 bean = 1 tsp, which may be more realistic http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2011/08/test...
    
    Noelle Carter at LA Times says 1 bean = 1 tsp, which may be more realistic http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/daily...
    
    (Nevertheless, foodsubs.com is usually my first stop when substituting ingredients -- so I may have made an error in this case!)
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      Vinnie Vidimangi 07/31/15 3:54PM re: drongo No you didn't. This is indeed what fodsubs says. If an error, it is foodsubs'. What is Noelle Carter's source? Should footnotes...
      
      No you didn't.
      This is indeed what fodsubs says. If an error, it is foodsubs'.
      What is Noelle Carter's source? Should footnotes be required?
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eatingjoy 08/01/15 5:44AM When I place one, split vanilla bean into 12 oz of Grey Goose I wind up with 12 oz of the most wonderful homemade extract. Once...

When I place one, split vanilla bean into 12 oz of Grey Goose I wind up with 12 oz of the most wonderful homemade extract. Once the vodka is flavored (2 months) I squeeze the seeds from the pod directly into the jar and remove the pod. 12 oz. of extract from one pod.
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criollino 12/31/1612:28AM In the food industry we use for single strength, that's what you should get in the store, pure vanlla extract 100 g vanilla beans...

In the food industry we use for single strength, that's what you should get in the store, pure vanlla extract 100 g vanilla beans per litre.
Taking this to US teaspoons you would need 0.5 g vanilla bean per ts.
Should the bottle state two fold strength it contains twice the amount of vanilla beans per litre.
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sweetpea2858 06/18/17 8:40PM I have a problem just bought vanilla bean in a four ounce jar how much do I use if recipe calls for 1 vanilla bean halved lengthwise...

I have a problem just bought vanilla bean in a four ounce jar how much do I use if recipe calls for 1 vanilla bean halved lengthwise for my pastry cream recipe? Its not a problem when the item is vanilla extract but this is different .