Thermomix Vanilla Bean Paste - ThermoFun | Thermomix Recipes & Ti (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between vanilla powder and paste? ›

Vanilla powder is an alcohol-free product that is simply vanilla extract dried with a natural cornstarch base. Vanilla paste is a syrupy concoction made of both vanilla extract and beans mixed with sugar, water, and a natural thickener.

Conversion: Each teaspoon of vanilla extract equals 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste or a 2-inch piece of vanilla bean.

Because vanilla extract contains no physical vanilla, the flavor is slightly lighter and less robust than vanilla paste.

Consider it your passport to vanilla bliss. Store it: Vanilla paste can be stored for up to 3 years when kept in a cool, dark environment.

Vanilla bean paste is thicker and more gelatinous than vanilla extract, but it can be used almost interchangeably. It's a great product because you get the specks that vanilla beans provide, but it's easy to scoop out of the jar and it's also more affordable than the beans themselves.

You definitely don't need these exact pieces of equipment — the one thing that I really do recommend is the vanilla bean paste. It gives the lattes a subtle sweetness and you get those nice vanilla bean flecks in your drink!

Vanilla extract and products made from vanilla beans are popular flavoring agents. Animal and test-tube studies suggest that specific compounds in vanilla extract and beans may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.

Vanilla bean paste can also be used in baked goods! Try using vanilla puree in white and yellow cakes, shortbread, and sugar cookies!

Easy. Use the same amount as you would of vanilla extract. Or, if you have a recipe that calls for a vanilla bean pod, substitute one tablespoon vanilla bean paste. I like to use vanilla bean paste in recipes where the flecks will really show, like pound cake, vanilla ice cream, pudding, crème brulee, etc.

It can be used as a sub for vanilla extract. It's perfectly lightly sweetened with a bold vanilla flavor. My favorite ways to use it are on plain yogurt, in smoothies, mixed with almond butter on toast, and in an iced coffee. It's also great in baked goods.

Why is vanilla bean paste so expensive? ›

Vanilla Origins

"But Tahitian vanilla beans are also highly prized for their floral notes." Types of vanilla, such as extracts, paste, and powder, are expensive due to the labor and process involved in making these products. "There are limited tropical regions in which they can grow," says Vu.

Vanilla Bean, Extract and Paste Equivalencies

One tablespoon of paste is equal to one gourmet bean. Vanilla bean paste can also replace extract in a recipe with 1 teaspoon (tsp.) = 1 tsp. For vanilla extract, one teaspoon is approximately equal to a 2-inch piece of vanilla bean.

Often the ground powder from the extraction process is used in vanilla bean ice cream. Although the used ground beans have very little flavor, the little specks give the illusion of vanilla seeds. Vanilla paste is a blend of concentrated vanilla extract and ground vanilla bean blend.

Many people prefer the extract over the powder because it is easily available. Unless a recipe specifically favours the powder, vanilla extract is the go-to option for many chefs, bakers, and pâtissiers. The powdered version of vanilla is usually chosen only when the recipe requires a dry ingredient for stability.

The clean, potent flavor of vanilla powder makes it a great addition to dry mixes—think just-add-butter-and-eggs cookie, cake, or waffle bases—or as a powdered sugar substitute for coating just-fried doughnuts or sifting over cake.

To use vanilla paste in any of these applications, add 1sp to 1tbsp of Pure Vanilla Bean Paste to your favorite recipe. Or, if pure vanilla extract is an ingredient, substitute paste for extract at a 1:1 ratio. Other traditional uses are cream fillings, custards, mousses, and vanilla sauces.

On that note: Sometimes ground vanilla is sold as vanilla powder. But, just to keep things interesting, sometimes vanilla powder refers to a completely different product (whitish in color, made with vanilla “extractives” plus additives like maltodextrin or sugar).