Calories in Vanilla Extract

Pure vanilla extract is a natural product as it is obtained from real vanilla pods. Vanilla essence is produced artificially by using some chemicals. Vanilla extract is much more expensive than vanilla essence. It is also thicker than the essence.

Vanilla is the most sought after flavor used in sweet dishes. It is also known for the fragrance it imparts to various types of toiletries and cosmetics. Let us first see how vanilla extract is obtained, and why it is so expensive.

The vanilla plant is native to Mexico. The flavor vanilla is obtained from the orchids of vanilla. The literary meaning of the Spanish word 'vainilla' is 'little pod'. In the 16th century, a Spanish adventurer introduced vanilla to Europe. People experimented and tried hard to grow vanilla there; but they could not succeed.

In the mid 19th century, when a teenager French-owned slave discovered that the method of hand pollination could be used to cultivate vanilla plants, it was possible to grow the plants outside Mexico. There exist three main cultivars of vanilla, namely, Vanilla planifolia, V. tahitensis, and V. planifolia.

The most commonly used variety is V. planifolia, and it is also known as Bourbon vanilla or Madagascar vanilla. Growing vanilla and collecting vanilla seed pods involves extensive labor. That is why vanilla extract is so expensive.

Vanilla extracts of various strengths are available in the market. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, vanilla extract is called 'pure' when it contains 13.35 ounces of vanilla beans per gallon and when the alcohol content is 35%.

As extracting natural vanilla flavoring from real vanilla beans is very expensive and time-consuming, imitation vanilla extract is produced by using alcohol and wood, which contains vanillin. Certain chemicals help obtain the final product, vanilla extract.

Most of the calories in vanilla extract come from sugar and alcohol.

• 1 tsp (4.2g) of vanilla extract contains 12 calories. About 2 of these come from carbohydrates, and about 10 calories come from the alcohol in the extract.
• 1 cup (208 g) of vanilla extract contains 599 calories.

• 1 tbsp (13g) of vanilla extract contains 37 calories.
• 1 tsp (4.2g) of McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract contains 12 calories.
• 1 tbsp (13g) of imitation vanilla extract with alcohol contains 31 calories.

• 1 tsp of imitation vanilla extract without alcohol contains 2 calories.
• 1 tbsp of imitation vanilla extract without alcohol contains 7.28 calories.
• 100 g of imitation vanilla extract with alcohol contains 237 calories.
• 100 g of imitation vanilla extract without alcohol contains 56 calories.

Vanilla extract calories may vary according to the alcohol and sugar content of the extract. They may vary according to the brand, location and the formulation of the ingredients.

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, 100 g of vanilla extract contains:

• Calories: 288 kcal
• Protein: 0.06 g
• Total Fat: 0.06 g
• Saturated fat: 0.01 g
• Monounsaturated fat: 0.01 g
• Polyunsaturated fat: 0.004 g
• Calcium: 11 mg
• Iron: 0.12 mg

• Magnesium: 12 mg
• Phosphorus: 6 mg
• Potassium: 148 mg
• Sodium: 9 mg
• Zinc: 0.11 mg
• Copper: 0.072 mg
• Manganese: 0.230 mg

• Carbohydrates: 12.65 g
• Sugars: 12.65 g
• Thiamin: 0.011 mg
• Riboflavin: 0.095 mg
• Niacin: 0.425 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.026 mg
• Pantothenic acid: 0.035 mg
• Water: 52.58 g
• Alcohol, ethyl: 34.4 g

Madagascar and Indonesia are the leading producers of vanilla beans. If you want to enjoy a more sophisticated and intensely flavored delicious dessert, then you need to use pure vanilla extract and not the imitated version.

Pure vanilla extract is expensive, but a very small amount of the extract is sufficient to enhance the flavor of cakes, ice-creams and delectable desserts. Now that you know the calories in vanilla extract, add few drops of the extract to hot beverages like coffee, tea or milk; or to salad dressing and sauces, to enhance the flavor of the drink or the dish.