Day 37: Extract Reviews and Prices

McCormick Pure Lemon Extract $2.99

Review: Great for lemon cakes, homemade from fresh lemons. This extract is also great for fish. Fish is a big part of my regular diet, and using a half cup of water and a couple drops of lemon extract, is great for baking fish. I also add several Italian, garlic, and onion seasonings.  

I was very impressed by the smell, tastes, and ingredient list. This goes great with enhancing the flavors of natural lemon juice.

McCormick Organic Cinnamon Sticks $4.99

Pure Vanilla Extract Large Bottle $4.99

Pure Almond Extract $2.99

I absolutely love these extracts. The almond pairs well with vanilla extract and cinnamon, and is added to most of my baking recipes. This is my go to combination for pancakes, muffins, and other baked goods.

McCormick Mint Extract......................................................................... $2.99

McCormick Mint Flakes ......................................................................... $3.99

Mint is a great flavor to add to many different baking and cooking recopies. Also great when paired with Lemon.

McCormick Imitation Hazelnut Extract $2.99

Review: First let me say buying imitation was a mistake. A lot of the pure extracts have imitation versions. Surprisingly all McCormick extracts were the same price. Whether they were imitation or pure. I am unsure if pure hazelnut was available at the time. It was tricky as I almost bought imitation almond extract, but then found the real extract. I'm looking forward to using this extract, possibly with cloves, when I make my next stove top air freshener. I'm also making nut cookies. The packaging suggest using to flavor coffee, or chocolate cake frosting. Imitation Hazelnut has no real hazelnut but instead has natural flavoring listed as an ingredient. I'm curious to know what that natural flavoring is, and more research is required.

Personally I feel extracts are great for cooking and adding flavor. And can be used in place of over using sugar. I look for and extract without unnecessary ingredients, and try to avoid imitation products. The grocery store didn't have that many healthy options to choose from. I might be able to find better options online. The McCormick brand pure extracts have only a three ingredients, and no additives.