vanilla bean question and a scone recipe for you

[lizziegrace]

Anyone have a source for vanilla beans? And if you buy in bulk, how do you store them?

Here's a recipe I found for petite vanilla scones. Enjoy!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/04/petite-vanilla-bean-scones/

[housewolf]

1. I bought some from this ebay seller

http://stores.ebay.com/Vanilla-Products-USA

I just have them double-bagged in ziplock bags. It's recommended that you don't store them in the refrig or freezer. They're so strong that each time I open the cupboard door, a wonderful vanilla fragerance greets me.

I'm happy with them. I bought the premium madagascar beans - good prices, good shipper.

[lizziegrace]

2. I knew I'd find an answer here.

Thank you!!

Which type and quantity did you buy, if you don't mind me asking?

Also, I assume the shelf life is pretty long?

[housewolf]

5. I bought 25 6-7" Grade A Madascar Bourbon beans

for $12.99 (plus a few dolllars for shipping) and got a 10 small Grade B Tahitian beans as a free bonus. I expect them to last 6 - 12 months or so, depending on how air-tight I can keep them. These are not the most prime vanilla beans available (this seller has more prime beans available, as well as other sources), but I needed to be cost-conscious and didn't feel that I needed the most prime beans. At any rate, I'm happy with them. This seller sells a variety of different types of beans/grades/quantities as well as vanilla extract in quartx and gallons at great prices. Check it out - you might find that it's worth trying.

They arrived vacuum-packed in plastic, like this

[MajorChode]

6. The shelf life can be long, but probably not as much as you might think

If they are sealed with a commercial type vacuum sealer, they will last a very long time and perhaps years. I have a foodsaver type sealer and I find they will only last a few months because the vacuum is not as strong as a commercial type, or perhaps it's just because the bags eventually leak. I'm not sure. If I keep them too long and they dry out, I just soak them in vodka for a few weeks and make extract out of them. While they are fresh, I also use several of them to make vanilla sugar.

[noamnety]

8. I bought beans from them because of this thread.

Ordered Tuesday, they just showed up and my house today, that was quick!

I've never used the beans before, only extract. And I also have a case of blackberries, I need to figure out what to do with all this. :)

[Warpy]

3. Vanilla beans often arrive sealed into their plastic tubes

and will keep that way for years. Another thing you can do is bury them into a jar of sugar to create vanilla sugar. They keep doing it for about six months.

If you bulk buy them and they arrive in a plastic bag, you might consider placing them in to a well sealed glass jar in a cool, dry place to keep. They should have reasonable longevity that way. They don't need refrigeration or freezing.

However, the best (and unfortunately, most expensive) way to buy them is sealed into those little plastic tubes. It's the best way for a home cook who uses them infrequently to buy them, though.

[mopinko]

4. everyone here should keep this link

they are pricey. but they are just f'ing awesome. they have everything. their blends are awesome as well, and their knowledge is just encyclopedic.

http://www.thespicehouse.com/

and if you lose the link and have to ask the google- it is THE spice house. just spice house is something else.

[csziggy]

7. Our local food cooperative/health food store sells loose herbs

And spices - vanilla beans among them. I buy all be spices there. They have a really nice selection, though they have been out of savory for a while and I do like it on some things. The vanilla beans are wonderful - the entire car smells great on the way home!