Do You Cook With Vanilla Beans?

January 26, 2009

At the Food Fête party this week after the Fancy Foods Show, a representative from Nielsen-Massey Vanillas handed me a kit sealed with a vanilla bean. She suggested that if I didn't want to cook with it, I could take advantage of its pleasant fragrance.

"Oh, don't worry — I'll cook with it," I reassured her. Although they're rather expensive — pods cost around $5 each — cooking with vanilla pods, in my opinion, imparts a more natural flavor than using vanilla extract. I like to use them in everything from cakes to vanilla-flavored hot chocolate. What about you?

21 Comments

live 4 gossip 4 years 15 weeks

@articamy you read my mind. I get organic fresh vanilla beans on ebay they are super cheap I think last time I got 25 beans for 10 bucks! I have used the same co a few times and am always happy so if you want to try using real beans at least you are not out a fortune!(no,I don't sell them online I swear!)

aimeeb 4 years 16 weeks

not yet...

hboogie 4 years 16 weeks

Costco sells a pack of 10 vanilla beans for around 11 dollars.

Twinkle 4 years 16 weeks

I don't normally cook with them but I make my own vanilla extract and vanilla sugar.

NatashaAlexis 4 years 16 weeks

I love vanilla bean, but it's so expensive.

ilanac13 4 years 16 weeks

no - i've always been of the extract generation. i know that there's value behind using the bean, but it's expensive and it takes more time to use and sometimes i'm just trying to bake something rather quickly.

arcticamy 4 years 16 weeks

ebay has some fantastic deals on vanilla beans. Ive used them and they are great.

arcticamy 4 years 16 weeks

ebay has some fantastic deals on vanilla beans. Ive used them and they are great.

mochick 4 years 16 weeks

i agree that saffron.com is a great site, but i still don't use vanilla beans often. when i make things like cakes and cupcakes, i use extract in the mix, because none of my friends or relatives would notice a difference. for frostings and more custard-like desserts, though, i'll use them for the enhanced flavour.

a geek 4 years 16 weeks

$5/bean is insane- I order from Saffron.com which is local to San Francisco and delivers great quality beans. $20 yields > 120 beans. Check it out at http://www.theposter.com/vanilla2.html They keep for a long time in a jar of sugar (and you end up with great vanilla sugar as well). There's no comparison between beans and extract.

cupcakekelly 4 years 16 weeks

I bought a pound of vanilla beans in bulk for less than $30, including shipping. I use them in everything... homemade frosting just looks so much more declicious with vanilla bean flecks :)

lisabarn 4 years 16 weeks

well, for Vanilla Bean ice cream, there is nothing else!

amloveaffair 4 years 16 weeks

Hell no! It was like $12 for 3 beans! No no no nooooo!

digigirl 4 years 16 weeks

I use them in applications where it's going to really make a difference that I am using high quality beans and not extract - i.e., custards, ice cream, etc. If I'm doing a cookie with 3 different add-ins, I'll definitely use the extract instead. Or, when I'm doing a special gift or occasion, I'll pull out the real deal.

otaku 4 years 16 weeks

oh... sugar... i feel like an idiot. haha XD

AmberHoney 4 years 16 weeks

Of course and I'm using them in the buttermilk, sour cherry scones I'm making right now :encore:

eludington 4 years 16 weeks

I bought a bunch of vanilla beans on eBay a year and a half ago and they're great! I poured some bourbon into a jar with six or so and have the best homemade vanilla extract. Another few went into a jar for vanilla sugar. I highly recommend checking out eBay before shelling out major bucks for beans!

starangel82 4 years 16 weeks

I use the real stuff for special, special occasions. The real vanilla beans are very hard to find here. And when you can find them, they are really expensive!