Does Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract contain dairy or gluten?

No, it contains no dairy or gluten. The ingredients are strictly plant-based (vanilla beans) and alcohol.

Is Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract good for weight loss?

Yes. Because you use such a small amount, it adds intense flavor for virtually zero calories, making it excellent for flavoring foods without adding sugar or fat.

Where can I buy Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract?

You can find it in the baking aisle of major grocery stores, specialty food shops, and online retailers like Amazon.

Is Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract safe for kids?

Yes, it is safe when used in normal baking amounts. The alcohol evaporates during baking, leaving only the flavor behind.

Is Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract Gluten Free?

Yes, Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract is gluten-free. For those managing celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, this pantry staple is a safe bet. Let's dive into the science behind the ingredients to understand exactly why this extract poses no gluten risk.

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a product is safe for a gluten-free diet, we look strictly at the source ingredients and the processing environment. For Organic Vanilla Bean Extractives, the risk is virtually non-existent. These extractives are derived solely from vanilla beans, which are the fruit of an orchid. As a plant-based product, vanilla beans do not contain gluten proteins.

The next ingredient is Water, which is naturally gluten-free and serves as the solvent to create the liquid consistency. The final key ingredient is Organic Alcohol. In the United States, the vast majority of alcohol used in extracts is derived from corn. Corn is a gluten-free grain. While alcohol can theoretically be made from wheat, barley, or rye, the distillation process removes the gluten protein, rendering the final product safe for most celiacs. However, pure extracts are not consumed in large enough volumes to pose a risk even if trace amounts remained.

Crucially, this product profile contains no wheat, barley, rye, or oats. Oats are often flagged in food science because they are frequently cross-contaminated with wheat during harvesting and milling. Since this extract contains no grain-derived fillers or flavorings, that specific risk is eliminated.

Nutritional Value

Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract is used in such small quantities (typically less than a teaspoon per batch of cookies) that its nutritional impact is negligible. However, understanding the composition is still important. The extractives contain trace amounts of vanillin and other aromatic compounds, but they contribute zero fat and zero carbohydrates in practical serving sizes.

If you were to consume a large volume of the extract (which is not recommended due to the alcohol content), you would be ingesting the calories associated with the alcohol. Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. However, in standard baking applications, the calorie count is effectively zero. It fits perfectly into strict diets like Keto, Paleo, and Whole30 because it does not spike blood sugar or add macronutrients that disrupt ketosis.