Flavor extracts?

[spydergrl80]

Can I use flavor extracts? I know they have a tiny bit of alchohol in them, but I rarely use more than a half teaspoon.

[Peterlock]

You're better off with essential oils, extracts are mostly alcohol and will pose a real risk at undermining your progress and effecting your blood sugar levels, causing cravings and worse.

Essential oils have no alcohol, always check the label for sugar, alcohol and carbs just to be safe. They're available at any health food, natural food store as well as multiple sources online.

Peter

[spydergrl80]

Thanks Peter!
Would cooking eliminate any of the alchohol? I usually use the extracts in baked cheesecake or a mock danish.

[Moochiecat]

If you're talking about a tsp or so of an extract in a whole cheesecake, I wouldn't worry about it.
If you're making up a mock danish for yourself and using a 1/2 tsp of extract and doing this on a regular basis, then I would caution you to rethink it, and perhaps replace it with cinnamon if you are wanting more flavour. :yummy

[Peterlock]

Hi Sydergrl80! :wave

That's a really good question, the belief has always been that alcohol burns and evaporates at around 200 degrees...but findings have shown that alcohol can actually take up to two - three hours cooking time at 178 degrees or higher to burn off,

Hence the potency of rum and bourbon cakes!... (pre Atkins) I always used alcohol as a flavor enhancer from anything from vodka sauces to wine and liqueur based glazes...Now I use white vinegar (great flavor enhancer) but which obviously you don't want to use in your cheesecake!

It's great to keep around in a squirt bottle and deglaze your pans for sauces and it really does brighten the flavors a lot!

BTW, I adore cheesecake....what time should I be over?

Peter ha

[spydergrl80]

BTW, I adore cheesecake....what time should I be over?

Peter ha[/quote]
HaHaHa, You better get over here quick! BF will be home in a few minutes and it will be gone!!

[goin2Bgood]

The only thing I've ever read is avoid extracts with added sugar. I buy mine in the health food sections of the store and they seem fine. Except the vanilla, I ordered that online.

[lowcarbing4ever]

If you would like to use different extracts, Peter is right. The essential oils are better. I found some that are good at a place called The Great American Spice Company. They are sugar and alcohol free; they range in price depending on the extract/oil. Some are cheap and some are really expensive but the huge amount of flavors they have is awesome!

http://www.americanspice.com/catalog/oils/

[spydergrl80]

If you would like to use different extracts, Peter is right. The essential oils are better. I found some that are good at a place called The Great American Spice Company. They are sugar and alcohol free; they range in price depending on the extract/oil. Some are cheap and some are really expensive but the huge amount of flavors they have is awesome!

http://www.americanspice.com/catalog/oils/

Great site! Will put in a huge order, Thanks!!!

[Piasabird]

Hey, lowcarbing4ever!

Thanks for the site. I think I'll be ordering some of those, also! :nod

[Desertthorn]

There has been a lot of discussion about extracts and I learned on ha that extracts have sugar. BOY, they don't taste like they contain sugar. The alcohol in them has never been the problem, its the dreded corn syrup.
So, just read the labels, I have found vanilla without corn syrup, but without any vanilla either so its a trade off. :confused :confused :confused

[goin2Bgood]

Desertthorn. I order my vanilla from here: La Vencedora Four Fold Concentrated Mexican Vanilla Flavoring - you'll need to scroll about half-way down the page. I'm going to check the extracts link out. Thanks for posting that lowcarbing4ever!

[Peterlock]

If you would like to use different extracts, Peter is right. The essential oils are better. I found some that are good at a place called The Great American Spice Company. They are sugar and alcohol free; they range in price depending on the extract/oil. Some are cheap and some are really expensive but the huge amount of flavors they have is awesome!

http://www.americanspice.com/catalog/oils/

Hi JuJu, :wave

What a GREAT site and fantastic prices!

Even long before I was on Atkins I always used essential oils because the flavor is so much more intense. What fun I'm placing an order in about 10 minutes!


Thanks for the post & addy - what a great source!
Peter ha