Alcohol in extracts

Calicolady

New member
I'm not a frequent baker, so I have the standard McCormicks extracts. Vanilla, lemon, almond, peppermint. All of them have varying degrees of alcohol for whatever reason.
Why is there alcohol, why varying degrees and do better brands have alcohol in different degrees?
All my extracts say PURE ...vanilla, etc. Not IMITATION...., so how can they be pure if they have alcohol? And what is imitation....?

Just curious.
 

PieSusan

Tortes Are Us
Super Site Supporter
Alcohol is a great carrier of flavor. However, there are steamed essences as well that do not contain alcohol. See http://www.bickfordflavors.com/

Imitation flavors are not real. Vanillin is imitation vanilla extract. It actually often comes from wood as a byproduct of the paper industry.
 

PieSusan

Tortes Are Us
Super Site Supporter
That is exactly why Bickford calls their flavorings steamed essences. They are especially nice for icings. They are an old caterer's trick--when a client insists on an apple dessert when apples aren't great, a little apple essence will save your dessert and keep your client happy.
 
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