I have always used good vanilla, never artificial. However, the first time I used Nielsen-Massey vanilla I could tell the difference. Your baked products willalso show the difference. It seems, only the best vanilla from the island of Madagascar is intense enough for Nielsen-Massey. it has long been the choice of bakers and ice-cream makers, this vanilla adds depth and flavor no other vanilla can match. It has a rich intensely flavored extract.