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With their gourmet appearance, velvety flavor, and intoxicating aroma, these premium Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans from Nielsen-Massey deliver an unforgettable culinary experience that your patrons won't forget. On the islands of Madagascar and Reunion (formerly known as Bourbon) off the east coast of southern Africa, expert farmers carefully hand-pollinate delicate white and yellow vanilla orchid flowers to produce long seed pods that resemble green beans. These pods ripen on the vine under the tropical sun for around 9 months before being hand-harvested and cured. The pods are first blanched in hot water, then placed in the sun each day to absorb heat and moved to large wooden boxes each night to sweat. From pollinating to harvesting to curing, it takes well over a year to transform the fragrant flowers of vanilla orchids into distinctive, long, dark brown vanilla beans. This time- and skill-intensive process results in vanilla with an unparalleled flavor that cannot be matched by synthetic alternatives.
Vanilla beans might seem like an intimidating gourmet ingredient, but they're surprisingly easy to work with! To remove the seeds from your vanilla beans, begin by cutting a slit down the length of a bean with a sharp knife. Spread the bean open to expose the seeds, then flip your knife over and use the dull side to carefully scrape the seeds out of both sides of the pod. While the seeds may be the star of the show, you shouldn't throw away the pod! Try using the empty pods to infuse salt, sugar, or simple syrup with the exotic taste of vanilla.
Once you've scraped the seeds out of the pod, your options for using them are practically limitless! They can be used in any recipe that calls for vanilla extract or vanilla paste. These delicate vanilla seeds are a great way to add visual interest to your recipes and baked goods! Blend them into rich frostings for a gourmet topping that will make your cakes and cupcakes stand out, or fold them into house-made ice cream for a decadent treat your customers are sure to remember. Vanilla seeds also makes a great addition to creme brulee, pudding, pound cake, milkshakes, gelato, or any menu offering that could use a bit of gourmet flair! For an easy way to elevate your breakfast service, stir a spoonful of seeds into oatmeal or yogurt for a simple yet delicious treat that your guests are sure to love. Add them to batters for cakes, cookies, or even pancakes to enhance your recipes with rich vanilla flavor and specks of vanilla seeds. Scoop a bit into your signature tomato sauce, where its velvety taste will add richness and depth of flavor while tempering the acidity of the tomatoes! You can even try using the seeds from these vanilla beans in glazes for poultry, seafood, or pork. No matter how you choose to use them, these vanilla beans will be a versatile addition to your menu! 1 vanilla pod is equivalent to 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract or vanilla paste.
Passion, patience, and more than a century of experience combine to make Nielsen-Massey the world's most trusted purveyor of pure vanillas and fine flavorings. Since 1907, Nielsen-Massey has sourced the world's highest quality vanilla beans to make their pastes, powders, and pure extracts, offering their customers a taste of unadulterated vanilla flavor - the way nature intended. Their line of flavorings and extracts is made with pure, natural ingredients to deliver unmatched flavor in your baked goods, beverages, and signature recipes. As part of their commitment to high-quality products, Nielsen-Massey is dedicated to supporting and sustaining the plants, people, and communities that provide their ingredients. You dedicate your time to creating the most delicious dishes for your customers to enjoy; why settle for ingredients that are anything less than the best? Nielsen-Massey's line of gourmet, all-natural products will make your culinary creations stand out from the competition!