Tillamook Old Fashioned Vanilla Vs. Vanilla Bean: The 5 Crucial Differences Only True Fans Know

As of December 2025, the debate over which Tillamook vanilla flavor reigns supreme—Old Fashioned Vanilla or Vanilla Bean—continues to divide ice cream enthusiasts. This isn't just a simple choice between plain vanilla and vanilla with specks; it's a deep dive into the craft of premium ice cream, where subtle differences in ingredients, processing, and flavor notes create two entirely distinct dessert experiences. Understanding the technical specifications, from the crucial butterfat content to the specific stabilizers used, is the key to choosing your ultimate scoop.

For decades, the Tillamook Creamery in Oregon has built its reputation on high-quality dairy products, and their vanilla ice creams are the perfect showcase of their commitment to extra cream and a low-overrun process. Whether you prefer a rich, buttery base or a pure, intense vanilla aroma, this guide will break down the five most important distinctions to help you make an informed choice in the freezer aisle.

The Essential Technical & Flavor Breakdown

To fully appreciate the nuanced differences between these two iconic flavors, you must look beyond the simple packaging and examine the ingredients and the technical specifications that define their texture and taste. Both are premium ice creams, but their distinct profiles cater to different palates and culinary applications.

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• Old Fashioned Vanilla: Often described as a "custard-style" vanilla, this flavor is designed for maximum richness and creamy texture. It focuses on the dairy base, allowing the cream to shine through.
• Vanilla Bean: This flavor is the purist's choice. Its primary goal is to deliver an intense, authentic vanilla aroma and flavor, making it the perfect complement to other desserts.

1. The Core Flavor Source: Extract vs. Specks

The single most significant difference between the two flavors lies in the source of the vanilla itself. This choice dictates the entire flavor profile and visual appeal of the final product.

Tillamook Old Fashioned Vanilla relies on high-quality Vanilla Extract and Natural Flavor to achieve its signature taste. This approach results in a flavor that is smooth, consistent, and blended perfectly into the creamy base. The focus here is not on the visual presence of vanilla but on creating a deeply rich, sweet, and buttery ice cream. It’s a classic, no-nonsense vanilla that tastes like the one you remember from your childhood.

Tillamook Vanilla Bean, however, uses Vanilla Extract *plus* actual crushed vanilla bean seeds—often sourced from Madagascar. These tiny, black specks are a visual indicator of quality and a textural element that delivers a more intense, floral, and complex vanilla flavor. The presence of the whole bean seeds provides a pure, potent vanilla aroma that is less about the "creamy base" and more about the vanilla pod itself. This makes the Vanilla Bean flavor a favorite for those who want a strong, unadulterated vanilla experience.

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2. The Secret "Brown Notes" and Frozen Custard Comparison

Tillamook’s own Research & Development team has a specific term for the flavor profile of the Old Fashioned Vanilla: it contains more “brown notes.”

• Old Fashioned Vanilla: The "brown notes" refer to subtle hints of caramel, butterscotch, or toffee that emerge from the combination of high cream content, sugar, and the inclusion of Pasteurized Egg Yolks. This richness is why many consumers compare it to a high-end frozen custard or a classic French Vanilla (though Tillamook offers a separate French Vanilla flavor as well). The sweetness is more pronounced and the finish is lingering and buttery.
• Vanilla Bean: The flavor is brighter and cleaner. It lacks the deep, caramelized "brown notes." Instead, it offers a pure, straightforward vanilla taste that is often described as more elegant and less overtly sweet. It’s a perfect backdrop for toppings or as an à la mode companion to a warm dessert like apple pie or a brownie.

3. The Technical Consistency: Butterfat and Density (Overrun)

When comparing ice creams, the two most critical technical factors are butterfat content and overrun (the amount of air whipped into the product). Tillamook is a premium brand, and their numbers reflect this commitment to quality.

Both the Old Fashioned Vanilla and the Vanilla Bean are classified as Premium Ice Cream because they both feature a high 13.5% butterfat content. This is significantly higher than standard commercial ice creams, which hover around 10%.

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Furthermore, Tillamook utilizes a low overrun process. Overrun is the percentage of air in the ice cream. Cheap ice creams can have an overrun of 100% or more, meaning half the volume is air. Tillamook’s low overrun ensures a denser, heavier, and more satisfying scoop. This technical similarity means both flavors share a superb, slow-melting, and luxurious mouthfeel, making the flavor difference the true deciding factor.

4. The Role of Stabilizers: Tara Gum and Guar Gum

While not a difference between the two flavors, the use of stabilizers is a crucial entity for topical authority and understanding the Tillamook texture. Both flavors use a combination of Tara Gum and Guar Gum. These natural gums are extracted from plants and serve to:

• Prevent the formation of large ice crystals, ensuring a consistently smooth and creamy texture.
• Slow down the melting process, which is essential for a premium, dense ice cream.
• Maintain the integrity of the emulsion, keeping the water, fat, and air blended perfectly.

The consistent use of these stabilizers across both vanilla products ensures that regardless of your flavor choice, you will always get the signature Tillamook texture: dense, smooth, and incredibly creamy.

Consumer Verdict: Which Vanilla Should You Buy?

The choice between Old Fashioned Vanilla and Vanilla Bean ultimately comes down to your personal flavor preference and how you plan to use the ice cream. Consumer reviews from late 2024 and 2025 show a clear preference split, with each flavor excelling in different scenarios.

Choose Old Fashioned Vanilla If...

• You prefer a richer, sweeter, and creamier taste that leans toward a frozen custard or French Vanilla profile.
• You want an ice cream that can be eaten entirely on its own, where the buttery, caramelized notes are the star.
• You plan to use it in a milkshake or as the base for a root beer float, as its robust, sweet flavor holds up well to mixing.
• You enjoy the subtle "brown notes" of toffee and caramel in your vanilla.

Choose Vanilla Bean If...

• You are a purist who wants an intense, authentic, and less sugary vanilla flavor.
• You want the visual appeal of the vanilla bean specks (a sign of premium quality).
• You plan to use it à la mode on a dessert, as its clean, potent flavor complements and enhances baked goods without competing with them.
• You prefer a brighter, more floral, and less "brown" flavor profile.

In summary, while both Tillamook varieties boast the same premium 13.5% butterfat and low overrun for a superior texture, they offer two distinct flavor journeys. Old Fashioned Vanilla is the rich, comforting, and sweet classic, perfect for a stand-alone treat. Vanilla Bean is the pure, aromatic, and elegant choice, ideal for pairing and for those who crave the intense, unadulterated flavor of the Madagascar vanilla pod. Try both—you might find that you need a tub of each for different occasions!