I almost didn't buy this, due to the price, but I'm glad I did! First of all, I'm happy to support Frontier, even if they did sell this off to some other "Organics" brand or whatever. It's still produced by Frontier, and I've been looking for this ever since they pulled it off the in-store shelves more than 10 years ago! Broke my heart - I had to go with nasty, phosphoric-acid "Vanilla Flavoring" in the cheap, flat-ish plastic bottles with the rounded "shoulders"; you know the ones... Yeah, that stuff will dissolve your teeth, but it makes a great cleaning solution, lol! This is so much better and I'm glad I found it! It supports keeping kids in school and in their homes with their families, rather than slaving on vanilla plantations. Also, the scent and flavor are PERFECT! This is the real deal, friends! You know that vanilla that used to come in the even tinier brown-glass bottles that your Mom had to stop you from drinking from when you were a little kid? THIS smells and tastes (when used properly, of course!) just like that, only even better!
There are some who are highly sensitive to the alcohol used (tiny %, last ingredient on the label), and that ruins the scent for them, so they refuse to use it in baking. The alcohol bakes out, leaving the lovely, fragrant pure vanilla extract flavor behind! That's all they're really complaining about, in the few negative reviews this product ever gets (here or elsewhere). I always say that, as long as it's not unsafe, "Don't knock it 'till you try it!" That means, in this case, actually baking with it first, then tasting it, regardless of if you happen to think the "odor" is "too strong" or "off" somehow. Those nay-sayers would be pleasantly surprised! Also, bear in mind that a lot of smokers, drinkers, and drug-users either can't taste anything at all, regardless of what they put in their mouths, or their ability to taste accurately is very compromised. I'm guessing that at least some of the negative reviews come from them -- and that's on them, not Frontier/Organics/whatever. I do none of those things and I get to enjoy my food! One of the perks of bothering to take reasonable care of myself, instead of making my life any worse than it already is, starting up things I'll just have to quit later... You can do that too, kids. Just say'n...
Just buy this when you have the money saved up, know that you're supporting a fantastic cause, and also, use it sparingly. A drop of this equals about a teaspoon of the cheap-o "vanilla flavoring", and really does taste so much better in your baked goods! You can cook with it as well, just never have the bottle over an open flame or a pot/pan that's over an open flame, so no gas burners! Mix it in while working over the counter, at least a good foot away from any major heat source (always keep it at least that far away), for safety. Never use near candles and do not use as a "potpourri" sort of heated scent; you're most likely to wind up burning your home down, as the alcohol travels invisibly on surfaces that you didn't know it had even spilled onto (this is true with all alcohol based liquids). In other words, only use in baking/cooking, keep it away from heat sources, and also, it's best to store it in the refrigerator (do not freeze), for long term use (because you won't use much at any given time).
This stuff really is great though, so please do safe up and purchase it! You'll love the finished recipes you use it while making, and you can know you're helping keep kids from being enslaved! You'll also be helping their families be able to support themselves in their own countries, and not have to find new countries to live in due to international-economics-caused poverty. People complain about refugees, but never ask, "What does free trade do to these people?" People don't bother to find out what "Fair Trade" actually is and how it's the answer to "border crisis'." You can prevent refugee and child-enslavement situations by purchasing FairTrace/EqualExchange Certified items! That's worth a few extra dollars for higher quality products you purchase and use often, don't you think?!
Organic Vanilla Bean Extractives in Water, Organic Alcohol.
