Our Founding Story
In a world full of artificial flavoring and imitation extracts, we saw the need to bring real Mexican vanilla back to center stage.
Aztec Vanilla is proudly made in Mexico using real vanilla beans, cold-extracted, clean-labeled, and crafted with care.
For years, our family worked behind the scenes, sharing Mexico’s most iconic flavor through others. But we knew it was time to create something fully our own — a brand rooted in honesty, heritage, and real vanilla beans.
So we returned to the source — the vanilla-growing heartland of Papantla — and partnered with producers who share our values. From those bold, hand-cured beans, we created Aztec Vanilla: a small-batch extract that captures the true essence of tradition and flavor.
Out of love for our culture and craft,
Aztec Vanilla was born.
Flavor from Papantla
Made with Pride in Mexico
We’re proud to share that Aztec Vanilla is certified Gluten-Free, Keto-Friendly, and Kosher — and always Coumarin-Free.
These certifications reflect our commitment to quality, transparency, and crafting real vanilla extract you can trust in every recipe.
🌿 Our Vision
At Aztec Vanilla, we imagine a world where real Mexican vanilla has a place in every kitchen — not just as an ingredient, but as a story worth savoring.
We’re rooted in the vanilla-growing traditions of Papantla, Veracruz, where fertile land and generations of care have cultivated one of the world’s most aromatic crops.
We believe in:
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Flavor that’s farmed, not faked
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Sourcing from real growers, not factories
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Honoring culture, not just commerce
Our vision is to connect people with authentic vanilla extract that celebrates not just the taste, but the heritage behind every spoonful.
🧡 Our Mission
We’re not just bottling vanilla — we’re preserving a legacy.
Our mission is to:
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Honor Mexico’s vanilla-growing roots
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Support ethical sourcing and small producers
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Deliver a clean, flavorful extract with no additives or shortcuts
Every bottle is cold-extracted and crafted to share the true taste of Mexico’s heritage — no artificial nonsense, just real flavor from real beans.
We work directly with local producers, helping protect traditional methods while promoting safe, modern food standards.
One extract at a time, we’re keeping culture in the kitchen — and vanilla where it belongs: at the heart of every story, every spoonful.
👥 Meet the Founders
Eric Avelar and Carlos Avelar Jr. grew up around the scent of vanilla and the spirit of craft. With roots in Mexico and a shared love for clean, quality ingredients, they co-founded Aztec Vanilla to bring real Mexican vanilla extract to the spotlight — no fillers, no shortcuts, and no imitation.
From sourcing beans in Papantla to overseeing every cold-extracted bottle, Eric and Carlos believe vanilla should be more than an afterthought. It should be a celebration.
"This isn’t just business — it’s our way of preserving tradition and sharing something meaningful."
— The Aztec Vanilla Team
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