Simple Products. Simple Life. So You Can Simply Live.
Simple Products. Simple Life. So You Can Simply Live.
Simple Products. Simple Life. So You Can Simply Live.
Now that we understand the types of vanilla bean, how do we pick the grade? Well, there are two grades of vanilla bean that most people are familiar with: Grade A (Prime Gourmet) and Grade B. Grade A has about 30%-35% moisture ,is very dark in color, and easily cut.
Grade B on the other hand is usually used for extract and only has about 20% moisture. These beans are much smaller with imperfections like cracks and splits but are no less flavorful. When cooking and baking, Grade A should be used for cooking and Grade B should be used for making vanilla extract.
The many uses of vanilla are surprisingly overlooked. It can be used in all sorts of recipes, from baking to even sauces and salad dressings.
For baking, it is most suggested to use vanilla seeds, but the pods themselves have a lot of flavor as well. When you’re making something that calls for vanilla beans, you want to use the whole thing. Once the seeds have been scraped out of the bean you don’t have to throw it away. Instead you can use the pods to infuse milk or cream with a subtle vanilla flavor, or stick them in a jar of sugar to make vanilla-scented sugar.
Vanilla extract is also a popular way to use vanilla beans. This ingredient is made by steeping vanilla pods in alcohol and water. It is most often used for desserts like cakes, cookies, brownies, and cupcakes, ice creams, and puddings. However, unlike vanilla extract, beans don’t last forever. But, if stored correctly, vanilla beans can last anywhere from six months to three years without losing their potency.
The creation of inexpensive vanilla flavoring comes with an environmental cost. The production of these compounds “creates a stream of wastewater that requires treatment before it can be released into surface water. There is concern of what these catalysts will do in the human body. Also, tn reaching for the real thing we support the farmers who carefully nurture, pollinate and harvest the crop. Not to mention that wholesome, simple food is always best for ourselves.
This is why we source and supply small farm vanilla beans to our customers. We make sure that our beans are fresh and have been supplied by the small village farmer who takes the time to nurture the plants resulting in a better bean. Click here to view our current stock and try your hand at cooking with fresh, real vanilla.
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