Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Vanilla Extract - Gluten Free?


cupoftea

Recommended Posts

cupoftea Newbie

I have starting baking gluten free at home and notice most recipes call for gluten free vanilla extract. I am not celiac myself and am this is all new to me; so I am not sure about a few different ingredients.

Is vanilla extract gluten free or is there certain ones that are and ones that are not?

Another ingredient I am curious about is Club House Maple Extract (this one contains both artificial colour and caramel flavour).

Please help. Thanx.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Lisa Mentor

Alcohol would be the ingredient of concern, and it's distilled and therefore OK.

We always by McCormicks.

MaryJones2 Enthusiast

You can never go wrong with McCormick - all of their extracts are gluten-free and they will clearly label any gluten in their products. Another vanilla extract that is gluten-free is Nielsen-Massey. Many store brands have gluten-free lists so you'll have to contact the store if extract isn't listed to be sure.

happygirl Collaborator

Cupoftea - are you located in the USA or elsewhere?

cupoftea Newbie
Cupoftea - are you located in the USA or elsewhere?

Ontario, Canada

happygirl Collaborator

Hopefully some of our Canadian members can stop by and help further answer your questions re: specific brands, as I'm not sure what the Canadian labeling laws are.

MaryJones2 Enthusiast

touche Laura! :) cupoftea - here is a thread on Clubhouse that might be helpful: https://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/index.php?showtopic=36571


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



happygirl Collaborator

:lol:

Cupoftea - the "u" in flavor/flavour clued me in. It may take a few hours or a day or so, but I'm sure someone will be by to help. Welcome to the board - we have many Canadians as members.

Felidae Enthusiast
I have starting baking gluten free at home and notice most recipes call for gluten free vanilla extract. I am not celiac myself and am this is all new to me; so I am not sure about a few different ingredients.

Is vanilla extract gluten free or is there certain ones that are and ones that are not?

Another ingredient I am curious about is Club House Maple Extract (this one contains both artificial colour and caramel flavour).

Please help. Thanx.

I buy pure vanilla, not the fake stuff. Yes it is a little bit more expensive, but there are no artificial flavours. I use Western Family brand for pure vanilla. I'm out west so I'm not sure if this brand is in the east, but it is an Overwaitea store brand.

I tend to stay away from artificial flavours if I can. I just don't trust them.

I would suggest you e-mail or call Club House. I hope someone else can help you out on here.

cupoftea Newbie

Thanks everyone.

I did a little digging and found out that Club House is made by McCormicks as well. I think I may go back to pure vanialla extract and then I wont have to worry about it anyway..

cindylouwho412 Newbie

hi, Kirkland brand from Costco has a pure vanilla and it even says gluten free on the label!!

also, if you have been doing a bunch of baking, i found a great flour that substitutes 1 for 1 like wheat flour..no need to combine flours or add xanthumgum or anything! it is at Authenticfoods.com, and is the all purpose flour. I made chocolate chip cookies...amazing!!!

celiac-charmer Newbie

This is awesome info!

I've always been confused when it comes to Vanilla for baking.

Glad to know McCormicks is good for me is awesome!

  • 1 year later...
Cheryl-C Enthusiast

I know this is a bit old, I just want to clarify - the ClubHouse Artifical Vanilla extract is ok? I should probably switch to natural anyway, since it's probably healthier...but I'd love to finish the bottle that's already open if it's not going to be harmful. :blink:

  • 1 year later...
vanillaguy Newbie

All vanilla extracts are GLUTEN-FREE-Do not waste your money on brands that are certified, they are no different.

Gluten cannot form in ethanol and since all extracts available on NA. market contain a minimum of 35% alcohol. Brands that you should be weary of are from Mexico. They have different recipes and methods of making their extracts. The end result is an extract that only contains 12% alcohol. As far as I have found a minimum of 20%alcohol must be present to deter the formation of gluten.

One thing to note for you health buffs or concerning digestive systems is that all industrial extracts are made with watered-down moonshine. Moonshine has been distilled only once and contains many constituents that are very harmful to our body. And yes, only a tsp can wreak havoc on our systems trying to process this quality of alcohol. It is only the flavor of the alcohol that gets burned off during baking.

I see a lot of sites promoting using vanilla extract in smooties, yoghurts, and oatmeals-DO NOT DO THIS!!!-unless you are looking for an early morning buzz:)

Make your own out of Vodka and quality vanilla beans (store bought uses very cheap vanilla). Vodka has been triple distilled which means that most of the bad stuff has been filtered out.

Use at least 4 quality beans per cup of alcohol. The better the quality of vanilla the better quality extract. If you use the best vanilla possible

(find here-nakedsweetshop.com) you will be able to use your extract as a tincture and vanilla is SUPER GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

Open Original Shared Link

vanillaguy Newbie

I know this is a bit old, I just want to clarify - the ClubHouse Artifical Vanilla extract is ok? I should probably switch to natural anyway, since it's probably healthier...but I'd love to finish the bottle that's already open if it's not going to be harmful. :blink:

Artificial extracts contain a compound called coumarin which is toxic to our livers.

bartfull Rising Star

Thanks VanillaGuy, and welcome. Since I am also intolerant to corn, the idea of making my own vanilla extract is great. I wonder, can I use tequila? That is the ONLY alcohol I can (sort of) tolerate. It DOES bother me when I drink it, but I think it's not from any intolerances, just from having such a damaged digestive system. I'm thinking that a little vanilla/tequila extract in baking (or in my home made yogurt) wouldn't hurt me.

love2travel Mentor

Thanks VanillaGuy, and welcome. Since I am also intolerant to corn, the idea of making my own vanilla extract is great. I wonder, can I use tequila? That is the ONLY alcohol I can (sort of) tolerate. It DOES bother me when I drink it, but I think it's not from any intolerances, just from having such a damaged digestive system. I'm thinking that a little vanilla/tequila extract in baking (or in my home made yogurt) wouldn't hurt me.

I always make my own vanilla extract and have used vodka or bourbon. I have not tried tequila but why not? Just allow it to sit for several weeks before trying it. Every time I use a vanilla bean, I toss the used one into the alcohol and just top it up a bit. This way I never run out.

You can also flavour granulated sugar with spent vanilla beans. Just pop one into the sugar and that's it! I always keep a container of vanilla sugar and some without for savoury preparations.

bartfull Rising Star

OK, this is going to sound silly, but remember, I don't know how to cook - how do you "use" a vanilla bean? I mean, I know that some vanilla ice cream seems to have flecks of bean in it, but I never even thought of grinding them and using them in stuff. I'm not baking YET, but if I ever get brave and try to, or if I make my own ice cream or something, it will be good to know how to use it. Thanks!

GottaSki Mentor

Real Vanilla Extract -- so much better tasting than artificial -- I just buy the largest store brand bottle to bring the per ounce cost down -- it make treats that taste just a lot better :)

love2travel Mentor

OK, this is going to sound silly, but remember, I don't know how to cook - how do you "use" a vanilla bean? I mean, I know that some vanilla ice cream seems to have flecks of bean in it, but I never even thought of grinding them and using them in stuff. I'm not baking YET, but if I ever get brave and try to, or if I make my own ice cream or something, it will be good to know how to use it. Thanks!

It's not silly. I just happen to adore vanilla beans! You buy the beans first - look for the plumpest you can get. Then take a sharp knife and slice down the length of the bean. Scrape out the seeds by running the knife blade over the length of each bean - they are so tiny but you should end up with a little clump of them. You use these beans to put into ice cream or whatever you are making. Many recipes also include the actual bean (i.e. when you make a vanilla sauce the recipe may say to remove the beans and put the beans and pod into a pot with sugar and water). There is plenty of flavour left in the pod so never throw them out until they've dried up (i.e. in sugar). The pods also infuse a lot of flavour.

So, when you make vanilla extract, you use both the tiny beans and the pods. Then after you've scraped out the beans for a recipe that does not require the pod, place the pod into the jar that your extract is in (or as I said above, stick it into some sugar).

I would never, ever purchase artificial vanilla extract of any kind - it is just so simple to make your own! Second best - purchase the genuine vanilla extract. The difference in flavour is like night and day, especially between homemade and bought.

love2travel Mentor

Oh, another tip. You can infuse honey with vanilla beans, too - it is glorious. I also like to infuse honey with various types of chile but that is another topic. :D

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - Mari replied to tiffanygosci's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      10

      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

    2. - tiffanygosci posted a topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      0

      Aldi Pueblo Lindo Yellow Corn Tortillas

    3. - tiffanygosci replied to tiffanygosci's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      10

      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

    4. - trents replied to tiffanygosci's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      10

      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

    5. - Mari replied to tiffanygosci's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      10

      New Celiac Mama in My 30s


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,975
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Mel R
    Newest Member
    Mel R
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Mari
      There is much helpful 'truth' posted on this forum. Truths about Celiac Disease are based on scientific research and people's experience. Celiac disease is inherited. There are 2 main Celiac 'genes' but they are variations of one gene called HLa - DQ What is inherited when a person inherits one or both of the DQ2 or the DQ8 is a predisposition to develop celiac disease after exposure to a environmental trigger. These 2 versions of the DQ gene are useful in diagnosing  celiac disease but there are about 25 other genes that are known to influence celiac disease so this food intolerance is a multigenic autoimmune disease. So with so many genes involved and each person inheriting a different array of these other genes one person's symptoms may be different than another's symptoms.  so many of these other genes.  I don't think that much research on these other genes as yet. So first I wrote something that seem to tie together celiac disease and migraines.  Then you posted that you had migraines and since you went gluten free they only come back when you are glutened. Then Scott showed an article that reported no connection between migraines and celiac disease, Then Trents wrote that it was possible that celiacs had more migraines  and some believed there was a causal effect. You are each telling the truth as you know it or experienced it.   
    • tiffanygosci
      Another annoying thing about trying to figure this Celiac life out is reading all of the labels and considering every choice. I shop at Aldi every week and have been for years. I was just officially diagnosed Celiac a couple weeks ago this October after my endoscopy. I've been encouraged by my local Aldi in that they have a lot of gluten free products and clearly labeled foods. I usually buy Milagro corn tortillas because they are cheap and are certified. However, I bought a package of Aldi's Pueblo Lindo Yellow Corn Tortillas without looking too closely (I was assuming they were fine... assuming never gets us anywhere good lol) it doesn't list any wheat products and doesn't say it was processed in a facility with wheat. It has a label that it's lactose free (hello, what?? When has dairy ever been in a tortilla?) Just, ugh. If they can add that label then why can't they just say something is gluten free or not? I did eat some of the tortillas and didn't notice any symptoms but I'm just not sure if it's safe. So I'll probably have to let my family eat them and stick with Milagro. There is way too much uncertainty with this but I guess you just have to stick with the clearly labeled products? I am still learning!
    • tiffanygosci
      Thank you all for sharing your experiences! And I am very thankful for that Thanksgiving article, Scott! I will look into it more as I plan my little dinner to bring with on the Holiday I'm also glad a lot of research has been done for Celiac. There's still a lot to learn and discover. And everyone has different symptoms. For me, I get a bad headache right away after eating gluten. Reoccurring migraines and visual disturbances were actually what got my PCP to order a Celiac Panel. I'm glad he did! I feel like when the inflammation hits my body it targets my head, gut, and lower back. I'm still figuring things out but that's what I've noticed after eating gluten! I have been eating gluten-free for almost two months now and haven't had such severe symptoms. I ate a couple accidents along the way but I'm doing a lot better
    • trents
      @Mari, did you read that second article that Scott linked? It is the most recently date one. "Researchers comparing rates of headaches, including migraines, among celiac patients and a healthy control group showed that celiac subjects experienced higher rates of headaches than control subjects, with the greatest rates of migraines found in celiac women.  Additionally, celiacs had higher rates of migraine than control subjects, especially in women. In fact, four out of five women with celiac disease suffered from migraines, and without aura nearly three-quarters of the time."
    • Mari
      As far as I know and I have made severalonline searches, celiac disease disease has not been recognized as a cause of migraines or any eye problems. What I wrote must have been confusing.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.