Tip - Vanilla Beans

****THE VANILLA BEAN****

Putting a Vanilla bean in Hot chocolate , pudding or dipping an apple 
wedge in Vanilla sugar is one of those culinary experiences that I love 
so much . It is such a heavenly aroma. I keep a jar of the Vanilla 
sugar handy so I can open it up and just smell it. Like Wine there are 
subtle flavors that give vanilla its special aroma. I really notice them 
not at first but in indirect ways like when I drink a good glass of wine 
...the lingering flavors that unfold are so pleasant.
Because Their affordable I am using real vanilla beans more instead of 
vanilla extract, if you don't then perhaps you should get some just to 
experience this wonder of nature. One bean goes a long way and can be 
used many times.Make a pudding with the seeds and then use the pod 
for Vanilla sugar, it is great to sprinkle on toast ,fruit, or put in 
your coffee. Vanilla powdered sugar is nice to roll Mexican Wedding 
cookies in, for that finishing touch. In decorative containers Vanilla 
sugar, oil or Kaluha makes a great gift item.

**HISTORY**
Early recordings have shown that Spanish conquistadors encountered 
vanilla in Mexico, where it was being used to flavor chocolate. They 
called it Vainilla...which means "little sheath" . It became popular 
quickly. But the popularity skyrocketed with the onset of Ice Cream.

The French took the spices down to the country of Madagascar and 
avoiding the Dutch tried to develop a nice source of Vanilla amongst 
other spices for themselves. They could not get the orchid to produce 
pods though? They were successful later by eveloping a hand 
pollination method.

Vanilla pods are actually an Orchid believe it or not that bears edible 
fruit. it is a rather small plain yellow orchid that produces these 
long 7 to 8 inch pods.

The pods look like green beans and are picked green and need to dry and 
then ferment to develop that rich flavor. It is a complicated process 
involving many months , that is why the price is very high. 
Even good real vanilla extract will get better with age like a wine. It 
is the flavor vanillin which is found in the bean the gives vanilla its 
predominate flavor. Imitation vanilla is made from a wood by product 
that has vanillin in it.

The Best pods come from Madagascar and Mexico. However Greg from San 
Francisco Spices, says that some of the Indonesian Vanilla are very 
nice in quality. flavorful and glossy Now is a good time to buy 
because due to supply problems the prices are expected to go up.

Here is the best page I have found with great pictures and all the facts 
on vanilla.
http://homecooking.about.com/food/homecooking/library/weekly/aa071497.

*****ONLINE VIDEO LINK*****
Here is a link to a video of how to split the vanilla bean and scrape 
the seeds out and use them in ice cream or frosting and how to simmer it 
in milk for a recipe, and then use vanilla bean for vanilla sugar, all 
using the same bean. 
http://www.lhj.com/kitchen/foodtips/vanilla.htm

****Where to fine Deals on vanilla beans*****
First of all you want to ask for long 6 to 8 inch beans, that are 
supple and glossy. Madagascar and Mexican are considered the best. Greg 
from San Francisco Herb company says that he knows some growers in 
Indonesia and they are producing an excellent product now where it was 
considered inferior in the past. They back all their products by the 
way.

Store beans in a Zip Lock bag,(push as much air out as you can) and not 
exposed to light.

Here are some places to purchase vanilla beans at a good price on the 
net.

The Wandering Chef
Http://www.thewanderingchef.com

You can buy as little as 6 beans. 1.00 a piece.

You must get at least 1/2 lb. or about 50 beans. works out to be 
somewhere between 60 and 75 cents a bean.
San Francisco Herb Company
http://www.sfherb.com/herbsspices.html

Penzey's Spices
http://www.penzeys.com