In Mexico, the best vanilla extract is labeled Ligitamo de Papantla, to indicate its origin in the finest vanilla-producing area. Premium vanilla products from all over the state of Veracruz can be bought in Paplanta's main town square during the annual Festival de Vainilla (Vanilla Festival).
The following information comes from, Patricia Rain, who is known as The Vanilla Queen and is an authority on all things vanilla. Nearly all the so-called vanilla extract from Mexico is synthetic!
Mexico's share of the world's vanilla supply took a nose dive in the early 20th century when the Mexican Revolution raged through the country. During this time, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean began selling cheap synthetic vanillas hoping to cash in on the association of Mexico and vanilla. It worked, and by adding coumarin to synthetic vanilla, the flavor was a little more like pure vanilla. Coumarin, from the tonka tree, can be toxic, especially to the liver. Its use has been outlawed in the U.S. since the 1950s.
Label laws in Mexico and other countries are not always enforced, so don't count on the label for an accurate account of the ingredients. Synthetic vanillas are a big industry as most tourists have no idea they are being duped.
How do you know it's pure vanilla? Here are a few of Patricia's tips:
Is it amber colored, dark and murky, or clear? Clear is pure, synthetic vanillin (artificial). It's often called "crystal vanilla." Dark and murky is synthetic vanillin, most likely ethyl vanillin derived from coal tar. It may also be dark because it contains red dye that we've banned in the United States, or it may contain caramel coloring. If it's truly amber colored, it may be natural vanilla.
What is the alcohol content? Usually the synthetics range from no alcohol to about 2 percent (which acts as a stabilizer). There are some vanilla-vanillin blends and some cheap-quality vanillas that have 25 percent alcohol, but they aren't worth buying either.
How much did you pay for it? This is the biggest tip-off. If it's in a big bottle and you paid $20 or less, it's absolutely not vanilla extract. Pure vanilla extract usually costs more in Mexico because only one company makes quality extract and only in small quantities.