Vanilla Beans- Best Place To Buy? Do You Use Them?
Decorating By elvis Updated 12 Apr 2007 , 9:21pm by doescakestoo
Hi-- I just saw in Martha Stewart's wedding magazine a really pretty cake where she had speckled her light blue frosting by using vanilla beans. I thought I'd like to offer the speckled frosting as a filling. How do you use them and where is the best place to buy?? Thanks!
I'm glad you posted this question. I just saw a recipe I wanted to try that called for vanilla beans. I'll be watching for replies.
Vanilla beans are great...They are very expensive. I can find them in the spice section at a good grocery store. You can use them many ways. To remove the inside paste split the bean length wise. Take a small knife and scrape down the inside of the bean. You can also steep it is liquid like the cream for creme brulee. I also have used it in ice cream.
I can get vanilla beans at my local bulk food store, with the spices. They also have them in the grocery store, in bottles in the spice aisle. Split it open lengthwise, and scrape the insides into your buttercream or whatever you're using. A little goes a long way. HTH
You can also stick a whole bean in a bowl of sugar to make a lovely vanilla flavored sugar.
I split the bean and use the inside in cake sometimes. I then take the bean and place it in my sugar (give sugar th smell of vanilla).
Also there are many places they are grown. The Tahitian seem to be the most expensive.
Just did an online search and here's what I found (since I have no idea where to find these locally ).
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/detail.jsp?id=1340
http://www.topvanilla.com/
http://www.vanilla.com/cgi-bin/store/search.cgi?session=1&subcategory=Beans&category=Culinary
http://www.thevanillashop.ca/catalog/index.php?cPath=37_41&osCsid=a69c543d26cb3a8f4e32691a5effca04
Lots of options, but the only company I've ordered from is The Baker's Catalog (kingarthurflour.com). I recommend them but, don't know if they are the best place to buy vanilla beans from.
I just bought some on amazon.com from JR Mushrooms & Specialties 20 beans for $14.95 no shipping charges.
I just received a shipment of FRESH vanilla beans and extract.
Prices are:
6 beans - $10
12 beans - $18
25 beans - $32
These prices include Priority Two Day shipping.
The extract:
8 oz - $10
16 oz - $ 15 (with built in measuring cup in the bottle)
Shipping does apply the extract.
I'm also offering a combo:
4 beans/ 2 oz. extract - $15.
Shipping included.
There are other items on my website as well; www.crawfordscreations.com.
Thanks in advance for your support!!
Thanks for all of the help-- I didn't realize that vanilla beans were long and skinny---I think I was picturing coffee beans
One more question...how long do they last? Do they go bad?--If I only needed to scrape half of the bean for a recipe, will the rest go to waste or will it last for a while? Thanks again... I may just have to get fancy now that I know where to go
From what I understand they keep for a long time. If you keep them in an airtight container in the dark.
We got some from eBay.
I haven't use any yet, but I'm eager to try them. I'm assuming one vanilla bean will be enough for one cake extender mix, right? Also, would it be considered overkill to use a vanilla bean in the cake batter, a vanilla bean in my butter cream recipe, and using sugar that has been flavored in vanilla bean and use it in both the cake batter and the butter cream?
Yummy - I love the flavor of vanilla - real vanilla (not imitation). I've never used vanilla beans but reading this thread, I can't wait to try.
I have used the vanilla bean paste in my cakes and cookies. They were great tasting. Love the madgascar but want to try other beans. Have to save the sites listed for future use.
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