Mexico is believed to be the birthplace of vanilla, so it’s no wonder Mexican vanilla is such a beloved varietal of the staple baking ingredient. Vain’s small-batch Mexican vanilla extract is prepared completely by hand using only the best ingredients: top-shelf cane rum and pure Mexican vanilla beans. No artificial ingredients in sight. The combination highlights that familiar vanilla flavor while adding a spicy undertone reminiscent of cinnamon or nutmeg. The rum’s mellow sweetness pairs well with the smooth, creamy bean—which is thicker and darker than other varietals with a strong, rich fragrance. We especially love that Vain Vanilla leaves its vanilla pods in the bottle, which has two benefits. First, over time the extract will continue to deepen in color and become more complex as the pods release more flavor compounds. Second, when you're done with the vanilla extract, you can still slice open the pods and use the beans themselves in your desserts.