Vanilla extract

No E-numberSpices & herbsOrigin: Plant

Get a personal answer

Pick your family’s diets in the bar above.

Every diet

VeganYes

Made from orchid pods.

Gluten-freeYes

HalalDepends

Most extracts are made with alcohol; look for a certified or alcohol-free version.

KosherYes

KetoYes

A teaspoon has about a gram of carbohydrate.

Low-FODMAPYes

The short answer

Vanilla extract is the flavor taken from orchid pods, and it is safe in any normal amount. The two things worth checking are whether it was made with alcohol, and whether what is on the label is extract or the cheaper vanilla essence.

94/100

Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberNone

Comes fromPlant

What it doesSpices & herbs

Glycemic index—

Daily limitNot set

Also calledVanilla extract, Pure vanilla extract

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDANot evaluated as an additive

🇪🇺 European UnionNot evaluated as an additive

🇨🇦 Health CanadaNot evaluated as an additive

CaliforniaNo extra rules

Vanilla extract is a food ingredient and carries no E-number, so it is outside the additive system. What the rules do cover is labelling: in the US and the EU a product may only be called vanilla extract if it comes from the orchid, and anything made otherwise has to be named as a vanilla flavor or essence, with the added sugar declared.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

The compounds that smell of vanilla are hundreds of them, with vanillin the most obvious but by no means the whole story. A real extract is macerated from the pods in alcohol, which is why most of them carry around 35 percent alcohol and why alcohol-free versions use propylene glycol or glycerin instead. Vanilla essence is a different product: a thinner liquid that is usually largely sugar and water with a little of the real thing in it.

Where it comes from: The flavor compounds extracted from the pods of a vanilla orchid. Vanilla is one of the most labour-intensive crops in the world, which is why most of what is sold as vanilla is made from a cheaper source.

Why it’s in food

Baking
Ice cream
Beverages
Confectionery
Cosmetics and perfume

Often found in

Ice creamCakes and pastriesCoffee drinksChocolateCustardBaked goods

Also listed as: Vanilla extract, Pure vanilla extract, Vanilla bean extract, Natural vanilla flavor, Vanilla pod extract, Extract of vanilla

Health & gut impact

Alcohol contentUnder study

Most vanilla extracts are made with ethanol, often around 35 percent by volume, and the alcohol carries the flavor compounds out of the pod. Alcohol-free versions use propylene glycol or glycerin, which matters for anyone avoiding alcohol for religious reasons or for a pregnancy.

US FDA, food labeling guide for vanilla and vanilla flavor

Extract against essenceUnder study

Vanilla essence is not the same product and is not allowed to be called vanilla extract in the US or the EU. It is largely sugar and water with a small amount of real vanilla in it, so it is also a source of added sugar that the label has to declare.

US FDA, food labeling guide for vanilla and vanilla flavor

AntioxidantsUnder study

Vanilla pods contain a range of polyphenols and vanillin itself has antioxidant activity in laboratory studies. The dose in a teaspoon is far too small for that to mean much nutritionally.

USDA FoodData Central, vanilla extract

What can I use instead?

Vanillin

Ratio: Use a fraction of the amount; it is several times stronger

Best for: A cheaper vanilla note in large batches

Ethyl vanillin

Ratio: Use a fraction of the amount

Best for: A stronger, slightly different vanillin note

More spices & herbs:

BasilBasil is a dried herb leaf: vegan, gluten-free, keto, and one of the safest ingredients in the cupboard. Drying concentrates estragole, a compound EFSA has assessed closely, so a daily spoonful is not the same as a sprig in a sauce.Generally safe Bay leafBay leaf is a dried herb that is safe at cooking amounts and fits every diet, including gluten-free and keto. The one thing to know is that the leaf itself is not edible, so pull the whole leaf out before serving the dish.Generally safe Black pepperBlack pepper is a dried fruit and a genuinely powerful ingredient, because piperine blocks several of the enzymes that metabolize drugs. It is safe in ordinary amounts, and the interaction with medication is the thing worth knowing about.Generally safe CardamomCardamom is a seed pod used as a spice, and at cooking amounts it suits everyone, including gluten-free and keto eaters. Buy green cardamom for baking and chai, and black cardamom for the smoky note of South Asian curries.Generally safe

Common questions

Is vanilla extract vegan?

Yes. It is made from orchid pods, and the alcohol or propylene glycol used to carry the flavor is not an animal product. Nothing about the extraction uses animal material.

Is vanilla extract halal?

It depends on the product. Most extracts are made with around 35 percent alcohol, and while ethanol in food is generally acceptable, some certifiers and some people prefer an alcohol-free version made with propylene glycol or glycerin. Look for a certificate if it matters to you.

What is the difference between vanilla extract and vanilla essence?

Extract is made from the orchid pods and tastes of them. Essence is a cheaper product that is mostly sugar and water with a little real vanilla in it, and it has to be labeled differently in the US and the EU.

Is Vanilla extract safe?

Generally safe (94/100). Vanilla extract is a food ingredient and carries no E-number, so it is outside the additive system. What the rules do cover is labelling: in the US and the EU a product may only be called vanilla extract if it comes from the orchid, and anything made otherwise has to be named as a vanilla flavor or essence, with the added sugar declared.

Is Vanilla extract vegan?

Yes. Made from orchid pods.

Spotted a mistake on this page? Report it ›

Scientific sources & regulatory citations

US FDA, food labeling guide for vanilla and vanilla flavor
USDA FoodData Central, vanilla extract