‘Vanilla extract will mask the odor mosquitoes are searching for when looking for a blood meal,’ says Shannon Harlow-Ellis, associate certified entomologist at Mosquito Joe.

You might think vanilla flavor is always inferior to vanilla extract, but the differences between these ingredients and their purposes is a lot more complex.

But have you ever stopped to ask: Where does vanilla extract come from? Or, wait a minute, what even is vanilla?

Vanilla extract has an extraordinarily long shelf-life, but does it ever really expire? It depends on whether it's pure or imitation vanilla extract.

Vanilla extract is made from the pods of the vanilla plant. Discover the health benefits of vanilla, including its antioxidant properties and potential effects on mood and digestion.

Pure vanilla extract is made from soaking vanilla beans in water and ethyl alcohol. It tends to have a stronger vanilla flavor than vanilla essence, or artificial vanilla extract.

Can you leave vanilla extract out of a recipe when you don't have any on hand? The answer is yes — and here's what to use instead.

Social media users have been turning to vanilla extract as a natural mosquito repellent—but does it work? iStock / Getty Images Plus Do you have a health-related video or story to share?

But you’ve probably heard that not all vanilla is real vanilla. So how can you know what you’re actually getting, and where does vanilla flavoring come from?

Vanilla extract is a must-have ingredient in cookies, biscotti, cake and so many more baked goods. While extract is a more convenient and affordable way to add flavor to recipes than a vanilla ...