COMPANY FAQ
Why Foodstuffs?
We are asked this question on almost a daily basis! Most people first want to know why we use the word “Foodstuffs” rather than just “food.” The answer is simple, really. Foodstuffs is a fun word! It also applies to many things that we sell that are not actually “foods” in the usual sense, like vanilla extracts, as it includes anything that has the potential to provide nutriment. Are vanilla extracts edible? Absolutely. Should you consume a vanilla extract on its own? Absolutely not! So, it’s not really food… It’s an ingredient; it’s a foodstuff.
Okay, then why “Not Just Plain” Foodstuffs?
The idea behind the “Not Just Plain” came about in 2011 when Vincent decided to make a spiced vanilla extract along with his yearly vanilla extract batches. The very first spiced vanilla extract contained Ceylon Cinnamon and Saigon Cinnamon and it led to the formula we use today for the Cinnamon-Spiced Vanilla Extract. When speaking with people about it, they would say something like, “wow, that’s so cool, you make your own vanilla extract?” To which Vincent would respond, “yes, but… not just plain vanilla.” The name Not Just Plain Foodstuffs didn’t come to be until 2013 when Vincent decided to start making larger batches of his yearly spiced vanilla extracts to give to friends and family, since interest among those groups had been growing. In 2014, shortly before marrying the love of his life, Mairead F. Donadio-Daniels, he launched a Kickstarter project to go into business doing what he loves most: providing quality foods and ingredients to everyone he can. Not Just Plain Foodstuffs now consists of Vincent, Mairead, and one of their best friends, Jeremy D. Seideman, who work tirelessly to bring bold, even ground-breaking flavors to your kitchen — be it a home kitchen, a backyard barbecue grill, a restaurant, or a bakery.
We are asked this question on almost a daily basis! Most people first want to know why we use the word “Foodstuffs” rather than just “food.” The answer is simple, really. Foodstuffs is a fun word! It also applies to many things that we sell that are not actually “foods” in the usual sense, like vanilla extracts, as it includes anything that has the potential to provide nutriment. Are vanilla extracts edible? Absolutely. Should you consume a vanilla extract on its own? Absolutely not! So, it’s not really food… It’s an ingredient; it’s a foodstuff.
Okay, then why “Not Just Plain” Foodstuffs?
The idea behind the “Not Just Plain” came about in 2011 when Vincent decided to make a spiced vanilla extract along with his yearly vanilla extract batches. The very first spiced vanilla extract contained Ceylon Cinnamon and Saigon Cinnamon and it led to the formula we use today for the Cinnamon-Spiced Vanilla Extract. When speaking with people about it, they would say something like, “wow, that’s so cool, you make your own vanilla extract?” To which Vincent would respond, “yes, but… not just plain vanilla.” The name Not Just Plain Foodstuffs didn’t come to be until 2013 when Vincent decided to start making larger batches of his yearly spiced vanilla extracts to give to friends and family, since interest among those groups had been growing. In 2014, shortly before marrying the love of his life, Mairead F. Donadio-Daniels, he launched a Kickstarter project to go into business doing what he loves most: providing quality foods and ingredients to everyone he can. Not Just Plain Foodstuffs now consists of Vincent, Mairead, and one of their best friends, Jeremy D. Seideman, who work tirelessly to bring bold, even ground-breaking flavors to your kitchen — be it a home kitchen, a backyard barbecue grill, a restaurant, or a bakery.
VANILLA FAQ
Can you explain the difference between all of your vanilla extracts?
Sure thing!
Does your vanilla have any additives, artificial flavorings, or added sugars?
Absolutely no sugars nor any artificial flavors are added to our extracts. What IS added to some of our extract blends are other NATURAL ingredients, such as Ceylon cinnamon, Saigon cinnamon, peppermint leaves, cacao beans, or chipotle pepper flakes, to name a few. Everything is 100% natural, we make only pure extracts.
Do you use tonka beans/coumarin in your extracts?
NO WAY! Coumarin, the chemical found in tonka beans, which is used in some falsely-advertised “vanilla” extracts is linked to kidney disease and even cancer. It’s not vanilla, and it’s not a healthy substance, it has no place in our extracts! It was also banned for use in food by the FDA decades ago.
Does your vanilla extract ever go bad?
Vanilla extract dosn’t really have a “shelf life” to be stated… Does a bottle of vodka ever go bad? Not really. And thus, our vanilla extracts (or any extracts that are made properly), will never really go bad. If they’re exposed to sunlight or extreme temperatures, however, they can lose their potency.
Are you using only USDA-Certified Organic/Fair-Trade/etc. vanilla beans?
Our sources for vanilla beans use organic growing practices but are not USDA-Certified, as that certification is very expensive to obtain & maintain. They also follow fair-trade procedures to ensure that the growers and curers get their fair share for their work!
Your extracts look very dark, do you add caramel coloring?
As stated above, we do not add ANY substances to our vanilla that is not a natural, flavor-enhancing herb or spice. Our extracts are so dark because they are actually well over twice the concentration that the FDA requires them to be… You’ll find yourself using only 1/2 teaspoon where 1 teaspoon is called for in your recipes… unless you REALLY want that vanilla to shine (;
You have so many different vanilla extracts, I didn’t know vanilla could be so complex… Which do you suggest I try?
Honestly, everyone and their mother has had Madagascan vanilla extract. We’re not knocking it, but it’s the most common vanilla around… We suggest you try our “Special Blend," that’s been the most popular with the bakers who usually get extract from us. It’s a powerful, flavorful, aroma-rich vanilla that will warm your nose as well as your tongue.
I have a dietary restriction: I cannot consume alcohol! Is it true that all extracts are made with ethyl alcohol?
That’s a shame, you’re really missing out on some GREAT flavors… But, do you HAVE to? The answer is NO! We offer an ethanol-free vanilla extract that has a rich vanilla aroma with a sweet, fruity vanilla taste. Please see the “Teetotaler” pledge level if you adhere to a psychological, religious, health, medical, familial, philosophical, or social abstinence from ethanol consumption!
Sure thing!
- Classic Vanilla Extract — Our Classic Vanilla Extract is 100% pure Madagascan vanilla extract. There are only two ingredients: premium Kosher vodka and Madagascan vanilla beans. Additional ingredients may include time, love, and more time. This is about as “plain” as vanilla can get, but it’s still delicious.
- Special Blend Vanilla Extract — Our Special Blend is a mixture of Madagascan and Tahitian vanilla extract. It has, you guessed it, three ingredients! Premium Kosher vodka, Madagascan vanilla beans, and Tahitian vanilla beans are all that go into this one… aside from the time and love, of course!
- Mexican Vanilla Extract — Our Mexican Vanilla Extract is smooth, smoky, and a teeny-tiny bit spicy, even. Don’t let that scare you, though. Mexican vanilla is about as legit as it gets. Heralded the world over as “the original,” “the best,” or “the king” of vanillas, it’s actually the same species of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) that is grown in Madagascar, but the climate, the soil, and the curing process (sun baking rather than boiling) give it an entirely different flavor and aroma. Just two ingredients in this extract, we’re sure you can guess what they are at this point.
- Tongan Vanilla Extract — Our Tongan Vanilla Extract is made with delicately sweet and fruity Tongan vanilla beans. What are Tongan vanilla beans? They’re Vanilla planifolia beans grown in the Kingdom of Tonga, whose rich, fertile soil and heavenly tropical climate bring forth a fig-forward, floral vanilla that is unlike any other on the planet.
- Cinnamon-Spiced Vanilla Extract — Here’s where the “Not Just Plain” vanilla kicks in. The Cinnamon-Spiced Vanilla Extract is a Madagascan extract that is aged for six months along with a precise amount of Ceylon Cinnamon (true cinnamon) and Saigon Cinnamon (Vietnamese cinnamon). These two very different species of cinnamon come together to create a wonderfully sweet and pleasant taste and aroma, when paired with the creaminess of Madagascan vanilla and given plenty of time to mellow out, this will quickly become one of your favorite items in your kitchen.
- Peppermint-Cacao Vanilla Extract — Another “Not Just Plain” vanilla. The Peppermint-Cacao Vanilla Extract is made with Madagascan vanilla beans, all-natural peppermint leaves, and raw, organic cacao nibs. No artificial flavors in this or any of our products, just good, old-fashioned all-natural herbs and spices and a lot of time to let it all blend together beautifully. Use this in cookies, (cup)cakes, frostings, or meringues.
- Chipotle-Spiced Vanilla Extract — The second to last of the “Not Just Plain” vanillas. This Chipotle-Spiced Vanilla Extract is a force to be reckoned with. It contains three ingredients: premium Kosher vodka, Madagascan vanilla beans, and the best, tastiest, hottest, smokiest Chipotle pepper you could ever get your hands on. Spiced to the nines, this extract goes best in corn bread, or anywhere you want a little spicy sweetness. Don’t be afraid to use it in things like dirty rice or spiced cookies, either!
- Oak-Aged Vanilla Extract — This extract is not currently for sale, but it has been announced. It’s currently undergoing taste-testing with our Beta Club members, and we expect to have a batch for sale by Fall 2015. This wondrous liquid is aged more than six months to perfection, including a very intimate fling with some toasted French oak. The aroma is of true, old-school vanilla bean ice cream and you may find yourself using this in everything from a bowl of cereal to waffles, from yogurt to fried chicken! You’ve been warned. This is one Not Just Plain Vanilla that you won’t want to miss.
Does your vanilla have any additives, artificial flavorings, or added sugars?
Absolutely no sugars nor any artificial flavors are added to our extracts. What IS added to some of our extract blends are other NATURAL ingredients, such as Ceylon cinnamon, Saigon cinnamon, peppermint leaves, cacao beans, or chipotle pepper flakes, to name a few. Everything is 100% natural, we make only pure extracts.
Do you use tonka beans/coumarin in your extracts?
NO WAY! Coumarin, the chemical found in tonka beans, which is used in some falsely-advertised “vanilla” extracts is linked to kidney disease and even cancer. It’s not vanilla, and it’s not a healthy substance, it has no place in our extracts! It was also banned for use in food by the FDA decades ago.
Does your vanilla extract ever go bad?
Vanilla extract dosn’t really have a “shelf life” to be stated… Does a bottle of vodka ever go bad? Not really. And thus, our vanilla extracts (or any extracts that are made properly), will never really go bad. If they’re exposed to sunlight or extreme temperatures, however, they can lose their potency.
Are you using only USDA-Certified Organic/Fair-Trade/etc. vanilla beans?
Our sources for vanilla beans use organic growing practices but are not USDA-Certified, as that certification is very expensive to obtain & maintain. They also follow fair-trade procedures to ensure that the growers and curers get their fair share for their work!
Your extracts look very dark, do you add caramel coloring?
As stated above, we do not add ANY substances to our vanilla that is not a natural, flavor-enhancing herb or spice. Our extracts are so dark because they are actually well over twice the concentration that the FDA requires them to be… You’ll find yourself using only 1/2 teaspoon where 1 teaspoon is called for in your recipes… unless you REALLY want that vanilla to shine (;
You have so many different vanilla extracts, I didn’t know vanilla could be so complex… Which do you suggest I try?
Honestly, everyone and their mother has had Madagascan vanilla extract. We’re not knocking it, but it’s the most common vanilla around… We suggest you try our “Special Blend," that’s been the most popular with the bakers who usually get extract from us. It’s a powerful, flavorful, aroma-rich vanilla that will warm your nose as well as your tongue.
I have a dietary restriction: I cannot consume alcohol! Is it true that all extracts are made with ethyl alcohol?
That’s a shame, you’re really missing out on some GREAT flavors… But, do you HAVE to? The answer is NO! We offer an ethanol-free vanilla extract that has a rich vanilla aroma with a sweet, fruity vanilla taste. Please see the “Teetotaler” pledge level if you adhere to a psychological, religious, health, medical, familial, philosophical, or social abstinence from ethanol consumption!
WEBSITE FAQ
Can I buy your products online?
Not yet, but you soon can! We will soon be selling our products through a Square Marketplace. It’s a website hosted by SquareUp and is completely safe and secure! When you click on “Shop” or “Order Online” links on our website, you’ll be brought to the Marketplace site to make your purchase. Square is one of the largest (and best) small business credit card processors, so shop confidently!
Why is your recipe gallery so small?
We just launched this website, and we’ll be periodically adding new recipes both from our own collection and from our customers! If you’d like to see us feature one of your own recipes, feel free to fill out our contact form! We test every recipe before we post them (for pictures and for quality assurance), so it may take some time before you see your recipe in the gallery.
Not yet, but you soon can! We will soon be selling our products through a Square Marketplace. It’s a website hosted by SquareUp and is completely safe and secure! When you click on “Shop” or “Order Online” links on our website, you’ll be brought to the Marketplace site to make your purchase. Square is one of the largest (and best) small business credit card processors, so shop confidently!
Why is your recipe gallery so small?
We just launched this website, and we’ll be periodically adding new recipes both from our own collection and from our customers! If you’d like to see us feature one of your own recipes, feel free to fill out our contact form! We test every recipe before we post them (for pictures and for quality assurance), so it may take some time before you see your recipe in the gallery.