Thank you for reading it, Jorge! The mexican brands I consume, love and trust are Veinte Soles, Kalakapäla, and De mi Pueblo. When I can’t get them, McCormick’s pure vanilla extract is also a reliable option as long as you make sure is the pure extract, and not a syrup.

Hola, Keoki! Thank you so much for your comment!! I didn’t include the FDA topic because current labeling allows us to know which ones are real vanilla derivatives and which ones cheat with tonka beans or, worse, with other substances like benzene or tar. If you’re going to buy vanilla in Mexico, there are still ways you can guarantee you’re buying the real deal.
My first recommendation is to buy the actual vanilla bean and make your own extract, but if you’re lazy like me, look for pure vanilla extract. It must have between 32-40% alcohol, and the ingredients should only include water, vanilla extract, and alcohol. Some brands will include the vanilla’s harvest year.
Mexican brands that I’ve tried and trust are Veinte Soles, Kalakapäla, and De mi Pueblo. Even McCormick’s pure vanilla extract is very good.

Karen, the flavor of Madagascar vanilla is very similar to the commercial flavor we find everywhere. It has more caramelized, sweet, and buttery notes. Mexican vanilla has more spiced notes that remind you of cocoa, or coffee–something smoky. I have tried some Mexican varieties that can taste quite bitter.
If you’re looking for the “classic” vanilla flavor, go with Madagascar vanilla. If you want a less sweet and less homogeneous flavor, Mexican vanilla doesn’t always taste the same, especially when it’s not manually cultivated, but rather when growers wait for nature to do its work. You’ll get subtle differences in the vanilla flavor.

Thanks, Curt!

Thanks, Jaime! The next time I’m in Puerto Vallarta, I will definitely go to the Botanical Garden. I totally agree—vanilla and coffee are one of the best combinations in life!!

Although it is generally believed that it would take high doses of coumarin to cause liver damage, I think I will still prefer to make my flan with the real stuff.

thanks for bringing this to people’s attention