Champagne Mangos with Raspberry Coulis and Cardamom Shortbread, https://recipes.fandom.com/wiki/Imitation_vanilla_extract?oldid=538730. Before we can talk about imitation vanilla, we need to talk about real vanilla and what it is that makes it taste so good.The authentic vanilla extract we use in our favorite baked goods is made from soaking vanilla pods in alcohol. Imitation vanilla extract is usually made by soaking alcohol into wood, which contains vanillin. Most imitation vanillas contain vanillin, only one of 171 identified aromatic components of the real vanilla beans. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Vanillin is chemically treated to mimic the taste of vanilla. If the extract is made from vanilla oleoresin, concentrated vanilla extract, or concentrated vanilla flavoring, the label must say "made from" or "made in part from" those particular ingredients. In 2009, Cook's Illustrated conducted an intensive taste test to see if subjects could tell the difference between pure vanilla extract and imitation vanilla. Water, Propylene, Glycol, Vanillin, Caramel Color, 0.1% Sodium Benzoate (Added as a Preservative), Phosphoric Acid, and Ethyl Vanillin. Most imitation vanillas contain vanillin, only one of 171 identified aromatic components of the real vanilla beans. This process releases as many as 250 taste and aroma components, including one called vanillin. Vanillin is chemically treated to mimic the taste of vanilla. Imitation vanilla extract is usually made by soaking alcohol into wood, which contains vanillin. Recipes Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Most synthetic vanillin is a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry, and is made from waste sulfate, which contains lignin-sulfonic acid. Vanillin can be produced synthetically from lignin.