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Madagascar bourbon distributed by Lorann Oils Inc vs Nielsen

post #1 of 17
7/26/12 at 8:52am
Thread Starter 
I finally purchased a bottle of "Natural Madagascar vanilla bean paste" distributed by Lorann Oils Inc. Do you use this brand or the Nielsen Massey VBP? Is there a quality or taste difference between these brands and if so which do you prefer? I tasted the batter and it was a light vanilla taste. I used 1 tbsp. The recipe normally calls for 1 tbsp vanilla extract. I haven't seen NM VBP selling here only this brand by Lorann Oils. Just wondering if there is a winner between these two brands. Paid just over $20US for a 4 fl oz / 118ml bottle so I want to know it was well spent.
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post #2 of 17
7/26/12 at 11:29am
Thread Starter 
I just tasted a cupcake I made with Natural Madagascar bourbon vanilla distributed by Lorann Oils and I don't really taste the vanilla. Quite surprised to get such a mild flavour for a 1bsp used.
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post #3 of 17
7/26/12 at 11:58am
No comparison. None. I have not used Lorann's VBP, only their vanilla extracts (Madagascar and Tahitian) and while the Tahitian is really nice, their extracts are not on the same level with Nielsen Massey. It's like comparing a Toyota to a Mercedes. Unless LO is doing something drastically different with their VBP than they are with their extracts, I would venture to say it won't compare favorably with one of the top vanilla brands in the world.
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post #4 of 17
7/26/12 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 
....my word. Thanks for this review. It really was a very disappointing experience tasting the cupcake. I barely saw any vanilla bean flecks and for $20 for 118ml I feel very robbed. I guess I will have to use the NM madagascar bourbon vanilla extract. Just saw that a local store is selling this but not the VBP.
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post #5 of 17
7/26/12 at 12:39pm
Thread Starter 
What I found strange was the odd smell and taste of Lorann Oils VBP. It smelled like satin ice fondant and didn't taste anything like vanilla ice cream or anything with vanilla.
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post #6 of 17
7/27/12 at 11:57am
That's funny. I tried the LorAnn 2x vanilla last year, was blown away by the strength and purity compared to good fresh beans. I recently bought hte LorAnn madagascar and loved it too.

Pearl you might have been sent old stock. I have had other LorAnn flavours go very bitter and theya re all old stock. Contact the seller and ask for a replacement.
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post #7 of 17
7/27/12 at 2:03pm
I also love LorAnn Madagascar vanilla. Even DH (who never notices subtle differences with food) commented on how much more he liked the vanilla cake and icing with that extract.

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Custom Cake Bakery and Decorating Classes

 

www.nccakeparties.com
www.cakecreationsbybarbara.blogspot.com

Christmas
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Clothing / Shoe / Purse
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post #8 of 17
7/27/12 at 2:52pm
Thread Starter 
Strange...I still would like to try NM VBP and do a comparison. My bottle of all natural madagascar VBP by Lorann Oils expires May 2015 so I don't see how it could be old stock. It has a unique smell. Not enticing at all.Smells just like Satin Ice fondant but a little weirder. Thought I would get a strong vanilla perfume scent from the bottle.
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post #9 of 17
7/27/12 at 3:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearl645

What I found strange was the odd smell and taste of Lorann Oils VBP. It smelled like fondant and didn't taste anything like vanilla ice cream or anything with vanilla.



Dear OP,
I started a thread few months ago on the scent of real vanilla, and the responses I got were all saying the familiar vanilla that we taste in ice creams or smell from body creams or lotions does not come even remotely close to the intoxicating taste and scent of the real vanilla extract.
Yes, intoxicating, that was the word a helpful fellow CC (can't recall her nick ATM, I think it was AZCouture if my memory serves me right) used when helping to describe to me the character of real authentic vanilla extract.

I have one jar of homemade vanilla still sitting in my cabinet for 7mths already, haven't been used, as since I wasn't sure if it has brewed perfectly yet (having never smelled nor tasted real vanilla extract) so to be safe I'm keeping it longer to get the full robust taste icon_smile.gif
Also there's another jar made 2 mths later...ooooh cannot wait to use all the goodness in my cakes.

I actually added pods of freshly scraped vanilla into 1 cup of my cream cheese frosting and found it produced a significantly sweeter taste than my regular cream cheese frosting w/out the fresh bean paste. Not sure how this info helps though he he.
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post #10 of 17
7/27/12 at 3:13pm
Thread Starter 
Yes thank you your post does help explain a lot. I was expecting a perfumed vanilla scent. I did notice a sweeter tasting cake with the vanilla bean paste in it.
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post #11 of 17
7/27/12 at 9:19pm
I only use the Nielsen Massey vanilla extract and VBP.

Pearl, I'm not sure where you're located, but I was surprised at the price you paid. I'm thinking perhaps you're in the UK which could explain the price. I can buy a 4oz bottle of Nielsen Massey VBO for $11.95CAD.

http://www.flourconfections.com/nielsen-massey-madgascar-bourbon-vanilla-bean-paste-p-498.html

But I buy both my extract and paste in 32oz/944ml bottles for $39.95CAD,

http://www.flourconfections.com/nielsen-massey-madgascar-bourbon-vanilla-bean-paste-944ml-p-488.html
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post #12 of 17
7/27/12 at 11:26pm
While we're on the topic of vanilla beans, anyone know where to get the big (32oz) bottle of Nielsen Massey VBP at wholesale price?
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post #13 of 17
7/27/12 at 11:56pm
Any time I pick up and look at a bottle of Loranne anything all I see is artificial flavoring. Maybe their VBP is different, but I doubt it.

Nielson Massey is the way to go in all flavorings for me.
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post #14 of 17
7/28/12 at 10:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearl645

Strange...I still would like to try NM VBP and do a comparison. My bottle of all natural madagascar VBP by Lorann Oils expires May 2015 so I don't see how it could be old stock. It has a unique smell. Not enticing at all.Smells just like fondant but a little weirder. Thought I would get a strong vanilla perfume scent from the bottle.



Pearl you definitely have a bad bottle.

The good bottles of LorAnn vanillas smell like excellent vanilla and taste like excellent vanilla.

But LorAnn has a general problem with some of their flavours going to hell and it has nothing to do with the date--it has to do with the batch. Don't know why...
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post #15 of 17
7/28/12 at 12:50pm
You can get excelent quality and more from your money by making your own vbp. I buy my beans from Beanilla trading co, that way I know exactly what I am getting. Its also fun to experinent with different types of beans and bean combos! Mmmmmmmm vanilla beans.....
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