A wonderful addition to your order. Buy these for the chef of the house, and surprise her!

One Pound of Vanilla Gold MAdagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans (18 cm long)

You might be wondering..."Why Vanilla Beans on a Mineral Web site?"

Pete began the company, Vanilla Gold LLC with his good friend Marc Jobin. Marc is a legend in the stone business. He is originally from Great Britain and has been based in Madagascar for over 35 years. They employ master vanilla bean graders in the SAVA region of northeastern Madagascar, to pick the very highest quality Vanilla beans, one by one, once the beans have finished curing (which takes 3 to 6 months). 

Vanilla Planifolia Orchid Blossom

A vanilla bean is the cured seed pod from the vanilla planifolia orchid, and is the only edible product originating from orchids. The flower of the orchid must be pollinated on the single day of the year that it blooms. The beans are picked after about 9 months of growth. The vanilla curing process involves a one-time dip of the green beans into boiling water, then an arduous 3 -6 month period of curing. Curing vanilla beans, involves exposing them to the sun every day and then wrapping them up in boxes at night. This lengthy process qualifies Vanilla beans as being the most labor-intensive spice in the world. The vanilla beans lose 80% of their weight during the 6 month ordeal. What remains is a supple, flavorful spice that is a cornerstone in every kitchen.

Read a review of our vanilla beans by an internationally renowned Vanilla bean review web site:

http://www.vanillareview.com/2008/vanilla-gold-madagascar/

How do you cook with Vanilla beans? To use them, simply split them open length wise and scrape out the internal black seeds and pith. Add the black "caviar," to your favorite custard, ice cream, or tea recipe. Typically, the black "caviar," from one vanilla bean replaces the extract called for in a given recipe. It's a good idea to add the bean to wet ingredients, and use extract (make it yourself) to add to dry ingredients. Don't throw away the empty bean! Put it into your sugar container to make wonderful Vanilla Sugar! You can make your own vanilla extract and save hundreds of dollars. Making extract simply involves scraping and cutting the beans, then immersing them in vodka or grain alcohol for several months. A one pound bag (about 80 - 110 beans) can easily make 12 ozs of extract. Here's a link to our favorite Do-it-yourself vanilla extract recipe. it's fun!

http://www.vanillareview.com/make-vanilla-extract/

Vanilla beans in grocery stores are expensive (typically $8 - $12 for two dried up beans)-- but not ours!! Due to our direct supply chain, and marketing we offer a discounted price on our gourmet Madagascar bourbon vanilla for $1 per bean and less! The vanilla beans will stay moist and flavorful for at least a year. Just store them in an airtight container (provided) in a cool, dark place like a cupboard.

Buy our Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla:

To Place your order click on the ORDER FORM button on the bottom of this page. Fill out your information, and add the Id # of the vanilla, where the form asks for "Specimen ID" and click "verify." Indicate your preferred method of payment, and click "submit." We will send a confirmation email with the total required including shipping costs. With priority mail, most vanilla orders cost between $5 and $8 to ship domestically in 2 - 3 business days.

Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla is named after the Bourbon islands (bur-bon) of northern Madagascar. Typically considered the best vanilla in the world due to its rich, flavorful notes. It also has extremely high levels of vanillin, the work horse of the bean. Vanilla Gold's vanilla beans are so rich, and high in vanillin, that it actually crystallizes on the surface of the bean. The french, who love good vanilla, call this "Givre," or frosting. Here's a pic of it.

Crystallized Vanillin on Madagascar Vanilla Beans