# Why are vanilla-flavored foods white...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vanilla-flavored-foods-white/790590>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 6, 2017, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vanilla-flavored-foods-white/790590 "2017-07-06T07:19:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vanilla-flavored-foods-white/790590/21 "2017-07-08T06:26:59Z")

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> [@Ruken](#):
>
> FWIW the black specks found in some vanilla ice creams are purely decorative. They’re a byproduct of extraction and don’t have much if any vanillin left in them.

That might be true in some cases but I don’t think it’s generally true. The black specks are [the seeds inside the vanilla bean](http://zoebakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/cutvanillabean02.jpg); they’re where the most flavor is concentrated.

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**Author:** ![ThisIsTheEnd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisistheend/32/4713_2.png) [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vanilla-flavored-foods-white/790590/22 "2017-07-08T07:24:42Z")

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Some of them are white so you’ll think it’s vanilla.

I bet if you were blindfolded and tasted a spoonful of store-bought chocolate pudding and one of vanilla, you wouldn’t know which was which.

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**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vanilla-flavored-foods-white/790590/23 "2017-07-08T11:37:39Z")

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> [@watchwolf49](#):
>
> Awww … I thought that was clever … but thanks for the correction … only use the stuff to clean stubborn stains out of the flooring tiles …

Hey thanks! Coincidentally, I pretty much only use the stuff to _create_ stubborn stains on the floor.

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**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-vanilla-flavored-foods-white/790590/24 "2017-07-08T18:23:23Z")

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> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> That might be true in some cases but I don’t think it’s generally true. The black specks are [the seeds inside the vanilla bean](http://zoebakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/cutvanillabean02.jpg); they’re where the most flavor is concentrated.

And after extraction, this waste product is [sold](https://www.silvercloudestates.com/product/vanilla-bean-specks-seeds-ice-cream-caviar-527.aspx) to entice gullible consumers.

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