Frequently asked Questions (FAQ's)
 Q:
What on earth is a Singing Dog?
A: The New Guinea Singing Dog is a dog native to Papua New Guinea that
does not bark. It prefers to “sing” somewhat like a whale.
It is considered the ancestor to the Australian dingo and other Asian
species of domestic and wild dog.
Click here to hear it sing.
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Q: Does “Bourbon” mean that it is extracted
with bourbon alcohol?
A: No, Bourbon refers to the region (Madagascar, Reunion Island, etc.)
in which the vanilla is grown and has no relationship with the alcohol
by the same name. Many people use the word Bourbon to refer to the Planifolia
species of plant that is most prevalent in Madagascar, Mexico, Papua New
Guinea and elsewhere. The name Bourbon refers to the French Bourbons who
ruled Madagascar at the time of the first vanilla cultivation there.
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Q: What is PNG Tahitian Vanilla?
A: The Tahitensis species of vanilla is generally called "Tahitian"
since this species was first commercially grown on the South Pacific island
of Tahiti. It is now grown in many other regions. We refer to our Tahitensis
variety as "PNG Tahitian" to denote that it is grown in Papua
New Guinea. Tahitensis vanilla beans are usually shorter, plumper, and
contain a higher oil and water content than Planifolia beans. The skin
is thinner, they contain fewer seeds, and the aroma is fruity and floral.
They are often described as smelling like licorice, cherry, prunes, or
wine. This type of vanilla is not as commonly used as the Planifolia (bourbon
type) but some chefs seek it out for specific recipes that benefit from
the floral notes of this vanilla type.
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Q: What does “single fold” mean?
A: The FDA regulates what constitutes strength, or fold. Single fold
means that 13.4 oz of vanilla pods are extracted into one gallon of alcohol.
Only vanilla extracted in 35% alcohol is considered pure by the FDA. Double
fold, triple fold, etc. refers to extracts using more vanilla pods. These
stronger folds are generally used only by commercial food producers. All
home recipes are designed for single fold and most bakers and chefs use
single fold.
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Q: Why do you specify that it is sugar-free or corn
syrup free?
A: Because most of the vanilla extracts on the market contain up to 40%
sugar or fructose. They do this to speed up the aging process that makes
the vanilla taste more “mellow” with a minimized alcohol smell.
We simply age our vanilla naturally to achieve the same result.
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Q: Will my baked goods taste like alcohol?
A: No, all of the alcohol will burn off in the oven. Alcohol evaporates
at a much lower temperature than water does.
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Q: Can I buy Singing Dog Vanilla products in stores?
A: Yes! Use our store locator to find
a retail outlet near you.
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Q: Is Singing Dog Vanilla™ gluten free?
A: Yes, all of our vanilla beans and vanilla extract is gluten free.
Most people with specific conditions such as Celiac disease (caused by
an abnormal reaction to gliadin, a gluten protein found in wheat) are
concerned about the possible glutens that may be found in alcohol derived
from wheat. Although it is fairly well understood that the distillation
process by which alcohol is made would not carry the proteins (gliadin)
and would thus not be a threat to gluten intolerant people, we have taken
the extra precaution of using only corn-based alcohol in our vanilla.
Singing Dog Vanilla™ products have also been reviewed and approved
by the Feingold
Association as being safe for consumption by people with Celiac disease.
www.feingold.org/faq-pg.html
For more information about gluten
click here
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