Exceptional Vanilla at a realistic price

Vanilla (Vanilla tahitensis and V. Planifolia) is wonderfully spicy and sweet flavouring, it is created from the vanilla orchid. The vanilla orchid is one of only a few edible orchids in the world.
It has long been recognised that vanilla is a New World plant, and that it was likely first cultivated by the Maya beginning at least in the 14th century AD. How did it come to be that V. tahitensis is located so far away from its original source? Recent...

Making Your Own Vanilla Sugar:
As a chef I hate wastage, so I use vanilla pods that I have already used for making something else, for instance used in making a classic crème anglaise (custard). Simply after infusion of the vanilla pod in the cream or milk. Remove the pod and gently...

When stored correctly, vanilla beans will actually improve their quality over time. Because it’s unlikely that you will be able to find the ‘ideal’ conditions, following these guidelines will keep your vanilla in excellent condition:
Location
Keep beans in a dark place – never refrigerate or freeze. Ideally in a temperature range between 15 – 18 degrees C....

The best quality vanilla beans regardless of where they are coming from, are dark skinned, soft and pliable.
They should have a rich aroma. You should avoid beans with very little scent and beans which are smoky, brittle, dry or mildewed.
Bourbon beans from Madagascar and the Comoros are described as being creamy and sweet, with vanillin overtones. When selecting vanilla beans, choose plump beans with a thin skin to get the most seeds possible. To test, gently squeeze the bean between...