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Best Sellers in Vanilla Beans |
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Vanilla, a member of the orchid family (Vanilla planifolia) produces a beautiful flower which bears fruit in the form of green vanilla beans. Madagascar vanilla is pollinated by hand. Speed is essential in the pollination process because the flower only blooms for one day of the year.
Successful pollination will result in the production of ripening bunches of long green vanilla beans which will be ready to be picked approximately 8 months after pollination when they will be turning slightly yellow in color. It takes approximately 11 lbs. of green vanilla beans to produce 2 lbs. of black vanilla beans!
After the beans ripen, they’re soaked in very hot water and after a couple of additional steps they’re dried out for the next 3 to 4 weeks. They’re rotated according to the weather and are brought inside each night. Once the process is complete, they’re sorted by hand.
As you can see, the whole process is quite time consuming and labor intensive, hence the high cost of vanilla and its various market fluctuations. Vanilla prices are subject to change at any time.
The vanilla beans we offer are grown in Madagascar and imported directly by us from the grower, there are no middlemen. The grower states these beans are organically grown, but since we’re not certified by any U.S. entity to promote our products as organic, we cannot promote these beans as being organically grown nor can we mention the word organic in our label. The name, Bourbon Vanilla or Vanilla Bourbon, is due to several islands off the East coast of Africa being referred to as the Bourbon Islands. No chemicals are used in processing our beans. The beans are moist and supple and their aroma is intoxicating. The length of our beans when flattened out range between slightly under 7 inches to 7-1/2 inches (17.53cm to 19.05cm)
The flavor of the bean is in the seeds within the beans. Slice the bean open lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the mixture to be flavored, you may also add the bean. Infuse for at least 8 minutes. Remove the bean, the seeds should remain in the mixture. One vanilla beans equals approximately 3 teaspoons or one tablespoon of vanilla extract.
How to make Vanilla Extract: 4-6 Bourbon vanilla beans, 2 cups Brandy or 80 proof Vodka. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise, cut the bean into _ inch pieces, place them in a clean glass jar and cover all the pieces with the liquid. Seal tightly and let stand a minimum of 2 months shaking the jar occasionally. Use as needed. Makes about 2 cups. (This may also be prepared with distilled water but you should let this mixture stand a minimum of 4 months.)
How to flavor Sugar: Fill a quart size clean, dry glass jar with granulated sugar of your choice. Add one vanilla bean split lengthwise. Seal jar tightly and store at least one week in a cool, dry place. As you use the flavored sugar, add more sugar until you detect that the bean doesn’t provide any more flavor.
Storage: Please store in a cool, dry place, preferably in an air tight container, away from heat. The beans should keep from 1 to 2 years if properly stored. Do not refrigerate as mold may develop. After some time, the beans may dry out and this is normal. To reconstitute the bean, soak it in liquid for a little while or in the liquid which you’ll use in your recipe until it’s pliable once again. The beans are packed in resealable ziplock type bags.
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Vanilla Bean, 1/4 lb. (whole) |
Please read description, uses, etc. at the top of the Vanilla Beans category. Thank you.(You will receive approximately 40 beans.)
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Vanilla Bean, 1/2 lb. (whole) |
Please read description, uses, etc. at the top of the Vanilla Beans category. Thank you.(You will receive approximately 80 beans.)
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Vanilla Bean, 1 lb. (whole) |
Please read description, uses, etc. at the top of the Vanilla Beans category. Thank you.(You will receive approximately 162 beans.)
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