What is the Difference Between French Vanilla and Vanilla?

The main difference between French vanilla and vanilla ice cream is the base of the ice cream. French vanilla ice cream contains egg yolks, while regular vanilla ice cream does not. This distinction gives French vanilla ice cream a richer, smoother consistency and a pale-yellow color due to the egg yolks.

Regular vanilla ice cream, also known as Philadelphia-style, has a paler, whiter look and can use either real vanilla beans or vanilla extract for flavoring. On the other hand, French vanilla ice cream can be made with vanilla extract or vanilla beans.

In terms of flavor, French vanilla has a more complex, custard-like, and slightly floral taste compared to regular vanilla. While some may perceive French vanilla as superior in quality, it is simply a matter of personal preference when comparing the two types of ice cream.

Comparative Table: French Vanilla vs Vanilla

The main difference between French vanilla and regular vanilla lies in the base used for their preparation. Here is a table highlighting the differences:

French vanilla ice cream stands out for its luxurious richness, which comes from the use of a custard base instead of a regular cream base. This custard mixture gives French vanilla ice cream its distinct creamy texture and rich flavor. In terms of color, French vanilla ice cream is noticeably more yellow than regular vanilla ice cream due to the custard base. The term "French vanilla" does not refer to a type of vanilla bean but rather to the method of preparing the ice cream. While French vanilla ice cream has a rich, creamy flavor, regular vanilla ice cream has a more basic flavor and a white or off-white color.