Genuine vanilla bean seeds can come only from vanilla bean pods. In pure vanilla extract production, 1 gallon of pure vanilla extract yields about 3.5 ounces of exhausted seeds. Traditionally, vanilla manufacturers as a courtesy have offered the spent seeds to their pure vanilla customers.
How to scrape the seeds from a vanilla bean?
Vanilla Bean - Extract Seeds Technique
- Place the bean on a flat surface. Hold the bean flat with one hand, and split the bean in half lengthwise with a sharp paring knife.
- Use the back side of the paring knife's blade to scrape the dark, moist pulp from the bean; that way you will not get any strings from the vanilla ...
- Use immediately.
Is there a substitute for vanilla bean?
When it comes to vanilla bean substitutes, you can choose vanilla-based substitutes such as vanilla extract and vanilla sugar if you have a recipe that highlights the floral taste of vanilla such as in puddings or custards. In the end, it will be up to your personal preferences, your budget, and what’s available to you.
Are vanilla beans a vegetable or a fruit?
Vanilla is the fruit of an orchid plant, which grows in the form of a dark brown bean pod that is long and skinny. Vanilla orchids are grown in tropic climates, including Mexico, Tahiti, Reunion, Mauritius, Comoro, Indonesia, Uganda, and Tongo. Three-fourths of the world's supply comes from Madagascar.
How to grow your own vanilla?
How to Plant and Grow Vanilla Beans
- Purchase Your Vanilla Bean Plant. You'll need to purchase a vanilla bean plant from a reputable grower. ...
- Transplant Your Vanilla Bean Plant. Hopefully you were able to purchase a healthy vanilla bean plant that is 3-5 years old. ...
- Support Your Vanilla Bean Plant. ...
- Water Your Vanilla Bean Plant. ...
- Create the Perfect Growing Environment. ...
Do you have to remove seeds from a vanilla bean?
Wait to scrape the seeds out of the vanilla pod until you're ready to use them. They can be mixed right in along with the rest of the ingredients — no other preparation required. When you serve your recipe, you'll see the tiny black flecks of vanilla bean dispersed throughout.
How do you get the seeds out of a vanilla bean?
To remove the seeds from the bean, simply use a paring knife to slice the pod in half. Then, use the back of the knife to scrape the seeds away from the pod. What's more is that the empty pod can also be used. Stick it in a jar of sugar, seal, and let sit for a week.
How many seeds are in a vanilla bean?
Vanilla Beans contain up to 25,000 vanilla seeds each! While these tiny seeds will not add any flavor to your product, they do look delicious!
What are vanilla bean seeds called?
caviarVanilla bean seeds are the 'caviar' scraped from the vanilla bean and have a fragrant vanilla flavor in its purest form. Unlike ground vanilla, which contains both the seeds and husks, vanilla bean caviar will add a more intense flavor when added to baked goods.
Where are the seeds in vanilla beans?
What exactly are vanilla bean seeds or specks? They are just what they sound like, tiny black seeds that line the inside of a vanilla bean. When flavor houses extract vanilla beans to make vanilla extract, the goal is to extract all possible flavor from the bean, including its seeds.
Can you eat the entire vanilla bean?
The vanilla that we eat is the vanilla bean pod and seeds from the vanilla orchid. What plant does vanilla come from? The vanilla that we eat is the vanilla bean pod and seeds from the vanilla orchid (Vanilla planifolia).
Why are vanilla beans so expensive?
Reason #1: Hard to Grow Most vanilla beans come from a very specific orchid, V. planifolia. This plant requires distinct and peculiar conditions to grow. Even if the farm meets those complicated conditions, the plant still takes two to four years to mature and produce beans.
Can you eat vanilla bean raw?
0:276:06How to Use a Vanilla Bean - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can also make a vanilla soda. With the vanilla bean. And some people even use them for savoryMoreYou can also make a vanilla soda. With the vanilla bean. And some people even use them for savory applications such as in salad dressings.
How many times can vanilla beans be used to make vanilla extract?
Beans you've already used in a batch of extract can be reused in the next batch. When I siphoned off the vanilla extract from my 18 month batch, almost all of those beans went right back into the jar for the next batch. I simply added a few new beans to punch up the flavour.
What are the black specks in vanilla?
The specks that you see in our vanilla flavoured products are actually specks of real vanilla bean from the Madagascar vanilla we use!
What can you do with vanilla bean seeds?
Vanilla Sugar & Salt. The most common use for spent beans is to dry them and bury them in a jar of sugar. ... Pierced & Poached Fruit. Pods—dried, or still fresh—are great for poaching fruit. ... Homemade Extract. ... Flavored Coffee & Tea. ... Bath Salts. ... Vanilla Oil. ... 24 Comments.
What can you do with vanilla bean pods?
10 Uses for Vanilla PodsVanilla “Ice Cream”Make Infused Maple Syrup.Make a Flavoured Powdered Sugar.Make Vanilla Extract.Make Infused Salt.Make Vanilla Flavoured Coffee.Make a Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub.Make vanilla body powder.More items...•
How do you get the beans out of the pod?
0:030:46How to Get the Seeds Out of a Vanilla Pod - CHOW Tip - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAfter you've soaked the beans run your finger down here and just squeeze it out and it'll see it'llMoreAfter you've soaked the beans run your finger down here and just squeeze it out and it'll see it'll come right out the end it saves you so much time and there isn't really any waste.
How do you split open a vanilla bean?
Take the vanilla bean “pod” and lay it flat on a cutting surface. Use a sharp knife (we recommend a paring knife) and slice the vanilla bean down the middle, lengthwise, creating two long halves. Next, take the BACK side of the knife and run it down the length of each split “pod” to collect “the seeds.”
How do you keep vanilla seeds from clumping?
Step 6: Pour a tablespoon of sugar next to the vanilla pile and mix the two ingredients together using the knife. This way you avoid the vanilla to clump together.
How do you process a vanilla bean?
Once ripe, the four stages of curing can begin.Stage 1: Dipping. No more than three days after harvest, the beans are plunged into water heated to 150-170 degrees Fahrenheit from 10 seconds to three minutes. ... Stage 2: Sweating. ... Stage 3: Drying. ... Stage 4: Conditioning. ... Perfection.
Step 1 – Purchase Your Vanilla Bean Plant
You'll need to purchase a vanilla bean plant from a reputable grower. As a vanilla plant takes 3-5 years to bloom, it doesn't make sense to try to...
Step 2 – Transplant Your Vanilla Bean Plant
Hopefully you were able to purchase a healthy vanilla bean plant that is 3-5 years old. Depending on its size, you'll want to transplant it into a...
Step 3 – Support Your Vanilla Bean Plant
Vanilla bean plants are climbing plants that need support. Gently push your support stake into the pot, near the base of the vine. Be careful not t...
Step 4 – Water Your Vanilla Bean Plant
You'll want to keep the top layer of the potting mix damp, however, you don't want the entire pot to be soaked. You'll also need to lightly mist th...
Step 5 – Create The Perfect Growing Environment
You can grow a vanilla bean plant at home. However, it won't bloom in low light conditions. If your plant doesn't bloom, it won't develop vanilla b...
Step 6 – Fertilize Your Vanilla Bean Plant
You'll want to fertilize your vanilla bean plant every two weeks during the spring and summer months. The best type of fertilizer for a vanilla bea...
Step 7 – Pollinate Your Vanilla Bean Plant
Vanilla bean plants need to be pollinated in order to produce vanilla bean pods. You can hand pollinate vanilla plant flowers, however, it can be e...
Step 8 – Harvest Your Vanilla Beans
You can harvest your vanilla beans as soon as the tips begin to turn yellow. This will happen approximately 8-9 months after pollination.You'll nee...
Why Vanilla Beans Are So Special
Vanilla beans are the fruits of a few very particular kinds of orchids, and they require special growing conditions and careful handling to thrive. Once harvested, the pods also have to be dried, cured, and then aged — all before becoming the baking ingredient we know and love.
Buy Plump, Glossy Vanilla Beans
If possible, buy your beans where you can see them and feel them through the packaging. Look for the plump vanilla beans that look glossy on the outside and bend a little when you touch them. Beans that are desiccated, dull-looking, or brittle are too old and it will be very hard to scrape out the beans inside.
Store Vanilla Beans Away from Heat or Light
Store vanilla beans at room temperature away from heat or sunlight, like in a cupboard. If you have leftover unused vanilla beans after opening the package, store them in a plastic bag with the air pressed out or in a vacuum-sealed bag.
Using Real Vanilla Beans in a Recipe
Wait to scrape the seeds out of the vanilla pod until you’re ready to use them. They can be mixed right in along with the rest of the ingredients — no other preparation required. When you serve your recipe, you’ll see the tiny black flecks of vanilla bean dispersed throughout.
Use Your Vanilla Pods!
For baking, we’re usually most interested in the tiny seeds inside the vanilla pod, but the pods themselves have a lot of flavor, too. You can use the scraped-out pods to infuse milk or cream with subtle vanilla flavor, or you can stick them in a jar of sugar to make vanilla-scented sugar.
Recipes That Make the Most of a Vanilla Bean
Look for the plump vanilla beans that look glossy on the outside and bend a little when you touch them. (Image credit: Leela Cyd)
Varieties of Vanilla Beans
There are different varieties of vanilla. They each have a unique flavor and, as a result, pair better with different dishes. Here are some of the various options for vanilla beans:
Planting Vanilla Beans
Vanilla beans aren’t the easiest plants to grow. It takes some trial and error on your part to figure out what works for you. as a gardener, You also might need to make some adjustments based on your planting zone.
Caring for Your Vanilla Plant
Vanilla plants have specific needs that must be met for the plant to thrive and produce. Here’s what you need to give your vanilla plant:
Problems When Growing Vanilla
Vanilla plants have only a few pests and diseases to watch for when growing them.
Companion Plants for the Vanilla Plant
Every plant has certain plants that they thrive when planted near. The best companions for a vanilla plant are:
Harvesting Vanilla Beans
There are specific steps you’ll need to follow when harvesting your vanilla beans to ensure you can use them correctly. You should also be aware of how to store the vanilla beans properly. Here’s how you harvest and store your vanilla beans:
What to do with a used vanilla bean?
If you're a big fan of vanilla, you've probably already asked yourself this question. Is your vanilla bean split and have you used the seeds? Have you put your vanilla in milk to infuse it? What if I told you that this bean was still usable?
How do you reuse an infused vanilla bean?
You made a delicious rice pudding or a crème brûlée and your vanilla was infused in the milk? Don't throw it away! Just rinse it and put it on a paper towel to dry. Vanilla is reusable, you can still enjoy its exquisite flavours and split your pod to remove the beans.
How do I reuse a bean from which I have removed the seeds?
If your vanilla bean is hollowed out, don't throw it away. Of course, it is the beans that bring the most flavour. However, you can still use the naked pod. Did you know that? When we talk about a vanilla bean whose beans have been used, we are talking about used vanilla. If you buy a ready-made product with vanilla in it, be careful.
My solutions for using a spent vanilla bean
There are different recipes that allow you to reuse your vanilla, even after you have removed the beans. Of course, the taste will not be as pronounced, but the result is more than acceptable for a product that would have gone to waste!
4. Flavor Maple Syrup
Add vanilla flavor to maple syrup by adding in a few spent beans. You'll get that hint of flavor, which is so perfect for drizzling over pancakes or waffles.
5. Make Vanilla Powder
Another ingredient that I absolutely love is vanilla powder. It has an intense flavor and the specks of vanilla seeds throughout is so pretty. Make your own by drying out vanilla pods and then grinding them in a small spice grinder or food processor.
6. Make Vanilla Simple Syrup
While you're simmering water and sugar together to make simple syrup, just toss in the used pods to make DIY vanilla simple syrup. This mixture is great to stir into iced coffee, iced tea, or cocktails.
7. Make Vanilla Salt
Sure, it might sound weird but that hint of vanilla flavor in salt is super tasty. Just toss a few vanilla beans in a container with kosher salt or sea salt, but be sure to label the container. You wouldn't want to mix up the vanilla salt for sugar!
8. Make Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub
If you're in need of some pampering, try out this moisturizing vanilla sugar body scrub. Blend together dried out vanilla pods with a little sugar until combined. Mix that in a bowl with more sugar (do not blend-you don't want all of the sugar to become powdery). Slowly mix in enough oil until it feels like wet sand.
