Price for Vanilla Reaches the Price of Gold

Interesting article: http://www.france24.com/en/20180420-magagascar-vanilla-price-trade-crime-crop-weather

Ms. Ingie wrote:Interesting article: http://www.france24.com/en/20180420-magagascar-vanilla-price-trade-crime-crop-weather

That's kilos of vanilla to ounces of gold though... Unless you have a source for gold at $600/kilogram.

Hi- I am running low on vanilla extract. I just use it in baking and when I make pancakes. For my use, ATK says that imitation vanilla works just as well. They especially like Gold Medal imitation vanilla, but I just checked on the company's website, and there are no stores in Illinois that carry it. There are two small chains in Indiana that carry it. ATK also recommends McCormick real vanilla. I've usually either bought WF's store brand or Simply Organic which I also buy at Whole Foods. Can anybody recommend any place to get the Gold Medal imitation or get real vanilla extract that does not cost $10 a small bottle? How about Sam's Club? I know I would have to buy a five year supply there, but I am going there today anyway, and no I am not a member of Costco. Even Aldi's real vanilla costs over $5 a small bottle. Thanks, Nancy

JoelF wrote:

Ms. Ingie wrote:Interesting article: http://www.france24.com/en/20180420-magagascar-vanilla-price-trade-crime-crop-weather

That's kilos of vanilla to ounces of gold though... Unless you have a source for gold at $600/kilogram.

Yup. Gold is about $1200 per ounce, or $19000 per pound or $42999 per kilo.

At $600 per kilo an ounce of vanilla is about $17. Hardly cheap, but not gold like.

Before Thanksgiving, we'd seen vanilla on sale at a couple grocery stores for $4 per 2oz bottle, but $8-10 is more common. The big bottle at Costco (12oz?) Has been running in the mid 30s.

I just got back from Mexico, where we bought some Orlando vanilla (my favorite vanilla). We got 250 ml (8.45 oz) bottles for approximately $5. Also got some big 500 ml bottles for just under $10.

Are Those Gold Teeth or Did You Just Eat in the Gaudiest Place on Earth?
An edible-gold arms race is on in the United Arab Emirates, and the upscale treats can be a mess to eat. ‘I had gold all over my teeth and my mouth.’

https://www.wsj.com/articles/are-those- ... 1546966565

Dave148 wrote:

Are Those Gold Teeth or Did You Just Eat in the Gaudiest Place on Earth?
An edible-gold arms race is on in the United Arab Emirates, and the upscale treats can be a mess to eat. ‘I had gold all over my teeth and my mouth.’

https://www.wsj.com/articles/are-those- ... 1546966565

David Cross used to do a bit about being served edible gold in restaurants:

"But the very last dessert, the pièce de résistance, was a pyramid-shaped, chocolate sculpture-thing with real live gold shaved onto the top of it. Gold. You know the pretty metal that has no discernible taste to it? There it was, on top of our candy. Mocking all who had labored to bring it forth from whatever underground cave, in whatever shithole country where it originated. (I'm talking to you, Australia and South Africa!) This, it occurs to me, might be the ultimate "fuck you" to the poor of the world. Let's see...it's tasteless, odorless, and the nutritional benefits are nil. In other words, the only pleasure one might receive from the gold shaving (visual) is nullified as soon as it's eaten. Hmmm…it's kind of fun to wonder, though, how many people got injured, or maimed, or even killed getting that piece of gold to your table and into your stomach. "

any good leads on high quality vanilla for slightly less than the price of gold? bake a ton and willing to pay, but just investigating before really taking the hit on a new 32 oz Nielsen Massey right now.

........High Quality leads on some really-good-stuff?

Buddy Born's a dealer/Importer that I've bought really-really
excellent Perisan Saffron from in the past-
and
he sells Vanilla Beans from 5 parts of The Planet.

"VANILLA BEANS and EXTRACTS AND VANILLA BEANS IN GLASS TUBES
I am pleased to introduce a newly expanded line of Single Origin Vanilla Extracts and a new line of Vanilla Beans packaged in glass tubes.
Madagascar
I have in stock an ample quantity of very beautiful oily' large beans,
very high in vanillin content, and that have the most recognizable flavor profile. Luckily, pricing remains very attractive. despite the general rise in pricing of agrocomodity products around the world. I am still able to provide the highest quality gourmet beans that I insist on. Extract quality beans are available by special order at prices 40-50% less than the gourmet grades. I have recently added one and two fold extracts made from 100% Madagascar beans available in two retail sizes and two manufacturing /restaurant sizes.
Veracruz Vanilla

http://bacstrom.com/offerings.html

annak wrote:any good leads on high quality vanilla for slightly less than the price of gold? bake a ton and willing to pay, but just investigating before really taking the hit on a new 32 oz Nielsen Massey right now.

Why not Spice House?

Hi,

At a super discount stuff that fell off the truck store (joke, sort of), I bought a quart of McCormick artificial vanilla for around $5. So far nobody has noticed their vanilla is vanillin. By the way, this was last summer and there was none when I went back a while later.

I have thought about adding a few drops of alcohol, too. Since flavor compounds dissolve in water, fat and alcohol, it may be a few drops will complete the function of full flavored vanilla.

Cook's Illustrated recommends Baker's Artificial Vanilla, if you go that route.

I do have regular vanilla, I am just using it for special occasions.

Regards,
Cathy2