Does Almond Extract contain dairy or gluten?

No, the analyzed ingredients list shows no dairy (milk, butter) and no gluten (wheat, barley). It is safe for vegan and gluten-free diets.

Is Almond Extract good for weight loss?

Yes, because it adds intense flavor without adding calories, sugar, or fat. It can make low-calorie foods taste more indulgent, which helps with diet adherence.

Where can I buy Almond Extract?

You can find almond extract in the baking aisle of almost every major grocery store (like Walmart, Kroger, or Safeway) and online through retailers like Amazon.

Is Almond Extract safe for kids?

Yes, in the small amounts used for baking, it is safe. It does not contain caffeine. However, pure almond oil can be potent, so it should always be kept out of reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion of the concentrated liquid.

Is Almond Extract Gluten Free?

Yes, almond extract is gluten-free. Based on the standard ingredients found in pure almond extract—water, alcohol, glycerin, and bitter almond oil—there are no gluten-containing grains or wheat derivatives used in the production process. This makes it a safe flavoring agent for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a flavoring extract is safe for a gluten-free diet, we have to look at the source of the alcohol and the thickening agents used. In the case of the specific profile provided for this almond extract, the ingredients are WATER, ORGANIC ALCOHOL, ORGANIC GLYCERIN, and BITTER ALMOND OIL.

Let's start with the ORGANIC ALCOHOL. In the food industry, alcohol used in extracts is typically derived from fermentation. While alcohol can technically be made from gluten-containing grains like barley or rye, it undergoes a process called distillation. During distillation, the gluten proteins are left behind in the still because they are heavier than the alcohol. Therefore, the resulting distillate is chemically gluten-free. Even if the starting material was corn or sugar cane, the final product is safe.

The ORGANIC GLYCERIN is another key ingredient. Glycerin (or glycerol) is a sugar alcohol often used to help infuse the flavor into the liquid and maintain consistency. While glycerin can be derived from animal fats, soy, or coconut, it is frequently derived from corn. Corn is naturally gluten-free. Unless the glycerin was specifically hydrolyzed from a wheat protein (which is rare and usually labeled), it poses no gluten risk.

Finally, the BITTER ALMOND OIL is the flavor source. Almonds are tree nuts, not grains, and they do not contain gluten. The primary concern for tree nuts is cross-contamination during processing, but in the context of an extract where the oil is distilled or extracted, the risk is negligible. There are no gluten-containing ingredients in this profile.

Nutritional Value

Almond extract is unique because it is used in such small quantities that its nutritional contribution to a recipe is virtually zero. A typical serving size is a quarter to a half teaspoon. In that amount, you are looking at negligible calories (usually less than 5), zero grams of fat, and zero grams of carbohydrates or sugar.

Because it contains no sugar or significant carbohydrates, almond extract fits perfectly into strict dietary limits such as Keto, Paleo, and Low-Carb diets. It provides a potent flavor punch without the caloric density of vanilla bean paste or sugary syrups. However, it is important to note that while the extract itself is low-calorie, the baked goods it is added to (cookies, cakes) often contain the sugar and fat.