Extracts vs. natural flavors

[MoshinJoshN]

I Have a couple of beers going right now, both of which I want to add some flavor to. What are the opinions of the flavors provided by extracts like hazelnut, vanilla, coffee, or pecan vs. trying to brew or steep the flavors out with the wort or to be added after fermentation?

 

[KYB]

In my opinion, the freshest and highest quality ingredients are way better than any extracts. As for vanilla, I have used extract, brewers best vanilla beans, and expensive vanilla beans in a jar. The expensive ones produced the best flavor by far. I went into it thinking the BB VB would be fine, no noticeable difference - I was wrong. Sure the others will work, but it depends if the added quality in flavor is worth the extra cost for you.