Frequently asked questions
Vanilla bean or vanilla pod?
Vanilla Pods, often referred to as Vanilla Beans, grow on a climbing vine — which is how they earned the name “bean.” Their wonderfully rich, sweet, and spicy flavour develops within the bean after months of meticulous cultivation and careful curing from the vanilla orchid.
While only a small number of orchid species are considered edible or used in food and drink, Vanilla planifolia is the world’s most famous edible orchid and the only one commercially cultivated for its fruit: the vanilla bean.
Where are vanilla pods from?
Are you wondering where Vanilla Pods come from? There are three main types of vanilla commercially grown around the world: Vanilla planifolia from Madagascar, Vanilla tahitensis from the South Pacific, and Vanilla pompona found across the West Indies, Central America, and South America.
The vast majority of the world’s vanilla is Vanilla planifolia, prized for its high natural vanillin content. Vanillin is the key compound responsible for the rich aroma and classic flavour we instantly recognise as vanilla, making it the referred choice for premium
vanilla extract production.
What can I use instead of vanilla pods?
Vanilla extract makes a great substitute for Vanilla Pods when you haven’t got any available. It is difficult to say exactly how much to use, but a good guide is using 1 teaspoon in place of one Vanilla pod. However, at Vanilla etc we recommend going on taste. If you desire a stronger Vanilla flavour, you should increase the amount of Vanilla extract used to your own requirements.
Why are vanilla pods expensive?
Vanilla is the world’s second most expensive spice after saffron — and for good reason. Every vanilla orchid flower must be hand-pollinated, a delicate and highly skilled process that takes countless hours of care.
Once harvested, the beans undergo a lengthy curing and maturation process before becoming the rich, aromatic Vanilla Beans we know and love. Over several months, the beans are carefully prepared, dried, and matured to develop their deep flavour and unmistakable aroma — a process that can take up to six months.
Vanilla prices can also be affected by severe weather conditions, which may damage crops and reduce harvest yields worldwide. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to offering competitive prices without ever compromising on quality.
