Vanilla Extract– Cure For The Common Cold?

Posted on November 7, 2011 by admin

It’s the time of year to be thinking of all the ways o use that vanilla extract you bought for the holidays. Your mind can run wild thinking of all the luscious ways vanilla extract can be used. Cakes, pies, ice cream, sauces for desserts or main entrée type foods just to name a few. The good part is that bottle of vanilla extract can flavor hundreds of food items and you may still have some left.

Hopefully you have 100% pure vanilla extract and not imitation. The price difference is more than made up in the increased flavoring and taste that it provides for your special dishes. Mexican vanilla extract is a favorite of many but Tahitian, and Madagascar varieties are well liked also as they add just a bit different flavor than the Mexican extract. For you really creative “I make everything from scratch” types you can make your own vanilla extract in the comfort of your home. Although it’s a bit late for this year you can find a recipe here. (http://vanillabeanswholesale.com/how-to-make-vanilla-extract/)

However, did you know that vanilla extract can be useful in other areas of your life. A dab on each wrist makes for a special perfume that not only smells good but seems to be very relaxing to those around you. The vanilla bean is used in many perfumes and cosmetics so it is really not that weird of an idea.

When you pull that vanilla bean cake out of the oven and accidentally touch the hot pan reach for the vanilla extract. Once applied to the area the alcohol cools the area as it evaporates. The liquid has also been known to help reduce bruises so keep that in mind if you knock your knee against the night stand.

This time of year you don’t need vanilla extract for this use but during the spring and summer add one tablespoon to 1 cup water and wipe the mixture on your exposed skin to discourage mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks. Although most humans like the smell of vanilla extract, bugs do not.

Other unconventional uses for the sweet smelling liquid is to freshen up the refrigerator by soaking a cotton ball with some extract and placing it in the corner. If your microwave is smelling bad put a small amount of vanilla extract in a bowl and microwave for about a minute. Want to paint a room but don’t want the paint smell? No problem. Add a tablespoon to the paint and mix well.

Of course you can always sweeten the smell of the house by putting a few drops on a light bulb. Makes the house feel more homey. There are probably more uses for the wonderful vanilla extract liquid but I think you have enough for now.

So, no, vanilla extract is not a cure for the common cold. It can however make the time spent getting over the cold more enjoyable.

Bulk Vanilla Beans For Sale

Posted on October 30, 2011 by admin

Find Bulk Vanilla Beans For Sale

If you use vanilla beans in your cooking, in your coffee, in your sugar, or if you make homemade makeup you need to be able to find bulk vanilla beans for sale. Depending on your personal preference you can buy cheap vanilla beans, moderate to expensive vanilla beans, and organic vanilla beans easily online but usually not so easy in your local town or city.

Just by googling bulk vanilla beans for sale you find a whole list of places that are ready, willing, and able to sell you bulk vanilla beans. Many may be somewhat known names while some are rather obscure companies that may not be more than a website. It is hard to tell sometimes but you can do your due diligence and have a good idea before you make that purchase.

One way to narrow down the choices of places to buy vanilla beans in bulk is to look for contact information on the website. the top companies will always use a real address and a phone number. They may also have a chat system available for you to ask any questions you may have right then and there. Call them and talk to them. Tell them what you use the beans for and ask for advice on getting the best price.

Find out what is their specialty. One company only sells organic vanilla beans from farmers they know are making the extra effort necessary to keep the product pure. Other companies may just take the beans from the supplier with the lowest cost. This is information that you will want to know.

It’s also good to ask what grade of beans they sell. You will be able to make a better educated decision about which beans provide the best value.You can find information on different grades by clicking here. You can find some reputable companies here.

To find bulk vanilla beans for sale does not take a rocket scientist but taking the time for due diligence will pay off in the long run.

The Best Place To Find Vanilla Beans For Sale

Posted on October 22, 2011 by admin

Vanilla Beans For Sale

Where can you find vanilla beans for sale? That should really be a two pronged question for you to get the best answer. Where can you find quality vanilla beans for sale and where can you find cheap vanilla beans for sale? Read on to find out a bit more about the art of buying vanilla beans.

The holidays are near and it’s time for you to stock up on spices. The holiday goodies you make or bake each year require certain spices and you want to make sure they are available when you get down to the important business at hand. There is nothing more irritating than to be preparing your famous cake, pie, or cookie and have to stop while someone runs to the store for one or more of the ingredients.

In this case you would be looking to find vanilla beans and preferably on sale. The best attack is to plan ahead and purchase your vanilla beans from a quality supplier at a good price. However, price is not the only consideration since what you create to give to others or make for your family you want to put the best ingredients inside.

As with anything buying vanilla beans is about choosing quality beans foremost and getting a good price second. Your local Wal Mart may have vanilla beans for sale but are they a high enough quality for you. The organic grocer is a possibility to be able to find vanilla beans for sale but at what price?

Here is a better plan. Go to the internet. With all the technology available you will be able to find many websites offering vanilla beans at all different prices and quality. Some beans can even be purchased directly from the country that grows the pods. With fast shipping that comes right to the front door it can’t be any more convenient.

My suggestion for you when you want to find vanilla beans for sale is to go to Amazon.com. There you can find a variety of companies that distribute vanilla beans and a variety of prices. Shopping at it’s best. Click on any of the pictures to start your search.

Where To Buy Cheap Vanilla Beans

Posted on October 21, 2011 by admin

As the holidays get closer you start to think about cooking
many special items that need vanilla beans and you want to
buy cheap vanilla beans because gosh darn it they are so
expensive. I do understand that during these times you want
to save money while still getting good quality but vanilla
beans just aren’t one of the spices you want to skimp on.

You may know that vanilla flowers have to be hand pollinated
and if you didn’t now you know why they are the second most
expensive cooking spice (I won’t leave you hanging– saffron
is the most expensive). If care is not taken in the pollination
and care of the vanilla flower the taste can be affected.

Cheap vanilla beans are available and you may be able to find
them at your local supermarket. They can be used in anything
better quality vanilla beans can be used for, unfortunately,
they just don’t give the same robust taste and aroma that
the better quality beans provide.

What you want to do instead of buying cheap vanilla beans
is to buy quality vanilla beans cheaply. To do so you will need
to put on your research scientist hat and go shopping online.
Google vanilla beans for sale and start looking at each website.

You may find that your local Wholefoods Market or organic grocery
has some available, however you know they had to get them from
someone that marked the price up to sell to them and then the
grocery has to mark them up again to make a profit. Thats fair
and how it has worked for centuries.

Fortunately, for us living in the era of high technology, overnight
shipping, and the ability to get product on demand we now can check
out various websites that can have the vanilla beans shipped directly
to your doorstep at a price better than your local market and may
in some instances be better quality.

One such website where you can find a many of the top brands and be
able to compare prices is Amazon.com. Click on any of the pictures
on this page and shop all the choices and make an educated choice.

Vanilla Beans Wholesale– Grading

Posted on October 16, 2011 by admin

Wholesale Vanilla Beans Grading

You have come here looking for wholesale vanilla beans. Whether you want to buy a small amount of beans or a great quantity if you do not know how they are graded you may not be satisfied with the beans you buy.

As a purchaser for a small restaurant or catering company or even if you are making a personal purchase, you will want to know exactly what you are buying. The grading system lets you know the length and moisture content which is important in the quality of the beans.

Length is important in the grading to measure the amount of vanillin available. The larger pods have more vanillin content.

Grade A /Grade I
15cm and longer (6-7 inches)
100–120 beans per pound (7.5 per oz)
Also called “Gourmet” or “Prime”.
30–35% moisture content.
Will appear and feel oily which
makes the product look more appealing
as well.

Grade B /Grade II
10–15cm (4-6 inches)
140–160 beans per pound (10 per oz)
Also called “Extract beans”
15–25% moisture content.
Less moisture doesn’t mean less vanillin,
however the quality is a bit less robust.

Grade C /Grade III
Less than 10cm
Can be used for lower grade food
items. Not really for home or restaurant
cooking.

This grading information will be helpful as you consider your purchase. One the thing to consider and your mother will most likely agree, and that is you get what you pay for. When buying vanilla beans wholesale buy the best you can afford to get the best results.

Vanilla Beans. Why Don’t You Grow Your Own?

Posted on September 28, 2011 by admin

Grow Vanilla Beans

Vanilla beans are the second most expensive spice available to the general public. Only saffron is more expensive. With all the wonderful things you can add vanilla to it might make sense for you to try your hand at growing this spice of many uses. If you have read anything about growing vanilla beans then you may know that the only place they grow naturally is in Mexico. However, thanks to a 12 year slave boy on the Island of Madagascar, vanilla beans can now be grown in many places all over the world.

Don’t let those last statements discourage you from growing your own vanilla beans. You only need a small place, your bathroom for instance and some knowledge. Just think how good they will smell while growing and how good they will flavor many of the things you consume everyday. Coffee, sugar, and instead of using a cheap extract make the real stuff. Plus how many people will be jealous of your vanilla growing expertise?

Growing Vanilla Beans Plant

Supplies Needed
Vanilla Plant Cutting
Water
Sharp Knife
Small Water Tight Container
Fertilizer
Soil
Support
Instructions

First of all, you need to buy the cutting of a vanilla pant from the local nursery.
When the cutting is being taken from the vanilla plant, make sure that there is at least one node and leaf on the stem.
After getting the cutting, place one of the ends, the one that will be submerged in water, under running water and cut it at a 45-degree angle.
Take a small, watertight container and put some water into it, you can also make use of a pill bottle for the purpose.
Add a pinch liquid fertilizer to the water and place the cut end of the cutting in the water.
Leave the cutting in the water, undisturbed, for at least 10 days or until the root grows out.
Once the root has formed, place the cutting in a pot that has been filled with soil. Vanilla plant requires organic soil for a proper growth. Hence, use lots of compost in the soil. Do not let the soil dry, nor keep it extremely wet.
Now, place the support in the soil, next to plant. This will allow the plant to grow along it.
Leave the pot in a humid area, such as your bathroom, where there is at least 50% light. These plants grow well in bright light. However, direct sunlight is not favorable for its proper growth.

There you go. Everything you need to grow your own vanilla beans.
Check out Vanilla beans for sale on Amazon.

Vanilla Bean–What Is It Good For?

Posted on September 22, 2011 by admin

Vanilla beans have been used for years in making vanilla ice cream and has also found it’s way into flavorful pastries, confections, chocolates, and a variety of drinks. However, it can be used for many other uses as well. Culinary visionaries are using vanilla in crepes, muffins and breads. The vanilla bean is also used in making homemade liqueurs. The bean is used in different forms to enhance the flavor of vegetable dishes, fish entrees, and even poultry offerings.

The perfume industry uses vanilla in many ways and it has also found it’s way into some cosmetics. Although not scientifically proven vanilla is said to be helpful as a remedy for fevers and also can be used as an aphrodisiac. It has been proven that vanilla increases levels of catecholamines, especially adrenaline, and thus is mildly addictive. The essential oils are also widely used in aromatherapy.

Cooking With Vanilla Beans

Vanilla is used in several different forms by quality chefs and cooks around the world. Many home cooks have not yet discovered the difference using the vanilla bean, as opposed to a vanilla extract, can make it the flavor of their dishes. The whole bean is used on many occasions, whereas, sometimes just the pods or seeds are used. Many times the bean is left intact and maybe just as often it is split open to allow more flavor to infiltrate the dish.

Of course, there is vanilla extract available at your local supermarket, but it has been tainted by the use of imitation ingredients. Never use an imitation if at all possible. The vanilla bean is sometimes ground into a powder or made into a paste.

The vanilla bean can many times be reused in other ways after the initial flavorful addition to a recipe. They can be dried and reused or reconstituted and placed into coffee and sugar containers to flavor them. The bean can also be ground up and mixed into the coffee or sugar for a stronger taste.

Choosing Your Vanilla Beans

When you look for beans notice the plumpness and almost oily appearance of the superior beans. If they are dried and withered wait until you can get the superior ones on your next visit. Once you bring them home store in a a cool, dry, location rather than freezing them.

Whether you choose Mexican vanilla beans, Bourbon vanilla beans, or Tahitian vanilla beans rest assured that you will be adding gusto to every dish you prepare with them. Due to the internet and easy delivery methods you can now buy vanilla beans wholesale.

Vanilla Beans For Sale Online

Posted on September 17, 2011 by admin

Vanilla beans for sale— whether you want to buy locally, online or order direct from the country the beans are grown this article can help narrow down the choices for you. A quick glance down the list of providers can take a search of thousands of possibilities down to a few.

Just looking at the list will give you some idea of the choices you have and maybe one or two of the companies will be familiar to you. As always you need to due your own due diligence.

Because of the labor intense process of pollinating vanilla flowers the price of the final product is second only to saffron in the cooking ingredients department. However, some places add a little bit extra profit for the same bean. Here are some choices for vanilla beans for sale.

Vanilla Beans For Sale On The Internet

AmadeusVanillabeans.com in Los Angeles, Ca is one of the top companies with an internet presence. This company has vanilla beans from just about everywhere it is grown. They specialize in what they call Ugandan Gold, a 100% Certified organic product, which, of course, is from Uganda. You can also find Madagascar Bourbon beans, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Indonesia, and India.
A small comparison of their prices for 1lb of vanilla beans—

Ugandan Gold 100% Certified organic    $70.49
Indonesian Bourbon $38.99
PNG    $44.49
India                                                                                                    $42.00
The vanilla beans are 17cm to 20cm. 17cm= 6.9in
Prices as of 9/16/2011

BostonVanillaBeans.com is located in Boston, Ma. Here is a blurb from their website— We offer Bourbon Vanilla Beans (Vanilla Planifolia) from Madagascar, Uganda, Indonesia, and Mexico that are rich and flavorful as well as Tahitian Vanilla Beans
(Vanilla Tahitensis) that have a fruity flavor and floral aroma.
Prices are quoted by number of beans per package.

Ugandan Vanilla Beans 30 count $38.70
Tahitian Vanilla beans 30 count $38.70
Madagascar Vanilla beans 15 count $18.75

Vanilla.com of Santa Cruz, Ca, has a motto on their website which states
“Advocating change and hope for the tropics.”. Ran by a woman known as the Vanilla Queen you can find many interesting things to read on the site.
Prices from this website.
Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla beans 1lb                                              $70.00
Mexican Vanilla beans 1lb                                                                    $80.00
True Tahitian Vanilla beans 1lb                                                             $180.00

Beanilla.com is headquartered in Comstock Park, Mi, a suburb of Grand Rapids, Mi.
Mexican Vanilla beans 1lb                                                                    $68.95
Tahitian Vanilla beans 1lb                                                                      $48,95
Indian Vanilla beans 1lb                                                                         $56.25

MyVanillaShop.com is direct from Madagascar and ship worldwide. The web site states it takes about a week to get to the United States. Shipping costs varied according to the weight but the shipping calculator was down so no shipping information was available.
All beans are Madagascar vanilla beans.
Grade A Vanilla beans ½lb                                                                       $26.99
Regular Vanilla beans ½ lb                                                                       $25.68
Premium Gourmet Vanilla beans 30 count                                              $24,39

These are just a few of the more prominent websites where you can find vanilla beans for sale.

Vanilla Bean Cake Recipe To Die For

Posted on September 16, 2011 by admin

Vanilla Bean Cake Recipe

It’s getting colder and the holidays are coming soon so a good vanilla bean cake recipe is just what you need to warm up and impress your holiday guests. Below is a recipe filled to the brim with flavor and sturdy enough to stack the layers high and load it with creamy frosting.

If you are searching for the perfect cake that will hold up like a trooper when you slather on your favorite creamy icing this cake will do the job. This cake will easily hold up to three layers with no problem. There are a variety of toppings you can add to the delicious vanilla bean creation starting with butter cream frosting. If you are more adventurous you might try some lemon, raspberry or black cherry mousse as filling and if you really want to get wild how about white chocolate butter cream as the icing.

This particular cake will fill your mouth with an explosion of tastes and will have your friends asking for the recipe. The cake is dense and moist and the vanilla bean taste comes through with pizazz. The buttermilk will add a bit of a twang and your icing and/or filling will create a heavenly combination.

Don’t be bashful when everyone compliments you on your vanilla bean cake masterpiece. Just smile and thank them and chuckle under your breath at the jealous ones.

Don’t wait too long to give this a try. You will be glad you did.

Vanilla Bean Cake Recipe

Ingredients

3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature (on counter approx 20 minutes)

2 2/3 cups granulated sugar

9 egg whites, at room temperature

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups buttermilk

1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350° F. Butter three 8″ x 2″ round cake pans, line with parchment rounds, and dust with flour, tapping out the excess.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until lighter in color and slightly increased in volume, 3 to 5 minutes. Lower the speed to medium and add the egg whites gradually, mixing until fully incorporated.

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Mix vanilla extract and vanilla paste (or contents of vanilla bean) into buttermilk. Alternate dry ingredients and buttermilk into creamed mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just incorporated or finish by hand gently

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. If possible, weigh the batter in each cake pan on a digital kitchen scale to ensure even layers. Smooth with small offset palette knife, and bake for about 30 minutes, rotating once after 20 minutes. Cake is done when toothpick or skewer comes clean.

Let pans cool on wire rack for 10 minutes, then invert cakes onto racks, gently, peeling away parchment rounds. Let cool completely.

Of course the last step is to slice into and enjoy every last bite of this delicious vanilla bean cake recipe

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History of Vanilla Beans

Posted on September 15, 2011 by admin

The history of vanilla beans is unique in many ways. Because vanilla beans only grow naturally in one area of the world, it has been a prized favorite of nobility since it’s discovery. It is said that Montezuma was the first king to make the flavorful pod popular by having one of his chefs prepare it in a drink. For many years French kings were the main consumers and even today is held in high regards for the magic it can perform in culinary dishes.

The vanilla bean is derived from the orchid of the genus vanilla. It is native to Mexico, however, it was the Spanish who named the bean vainilla, which means little pod. Once the vanilla bean is picked it dries into a black wrinkled string like form, hence the term pod.

Folklore says that the plant was created when Princess Xanat fled to the forest to be with her lover that her father the king had forbidden her to marry. The kings men caught up to the couple and beheaded them. On the spot where the blood was spilt is where the orchid began it’s existence.

Vanilla Bean Used To Pay Tribute

The Totonaco Indians were the keepers of the almost sacred vanilla bean for many years until the 15^th century when the Aztecs invaded and conquered them. The Aztec contingent that were set in place to control the Totonaco Indians after the conquest developed a taste for the vanilla bean so much so that the tribe paid their tribute (or taxes) in vanilla beans rather then the customary gold or maize the other conquered tribes used as tribute. It is said Montezuma had the bean added to a mixture of cocoa and corn and made into a drink concoction known as chocolati.

Not long afterward Spanish conqueror, Herman Cortes, invaded Mexico and defeated the Aztecs. Of course, part of the spoil was the revered vanilla bean which was eventually shipped back to Europe, along with the cocoa bean. There the vanilla bean was solely enjoyed by the very rich and the nobility for 80 years.

The Europeans tried to grow the orchid in their countries to no avail. The plant has a special relationship with the Melipona bee and this is the only way the plant could be pollinated and bear fruit. It is not certain why the Europeans bees could not pollinate the flower. The fact remains that the Melipona bee is the only bee who can.

Fortunately for the rest of the world a 12 year old slave by the name of Edward Albius was able to figure out a way to pollinate the plant by hand. Obviously this is not a cost effective way to have to handle the plant and so the cost of production is the reason the vanilla bean remains a bit pricey.

Vanilla Beans Around The World

Albius was on the Madagascar Island of Bourbon at the time of the discovery and this lead to the Madagascar area becoming the largest producer of vanilla beans today. Known as Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans they are considered to be the highest quality pure vanilla available, described as having a creamy, sweet, smooth, mellow flavor.

Indonesia is the second largest producer of vanilla beans, with a taste that is woody, astringent and phenolic. Mexico, the original producer of the exotic plant, now produces only a small percentage of the harvest. The beans produced there can be described as creamy, sweet, smooth, and spicy. Tahitian vanilla beans, which are grown from the genus ,V. tahitensis, a different orchid, is flowery and fruity, anisic, and smooth.

Although Indonesia and Madagascar are the major producers of vanilla beans, India is making an all out effort to get a big piece of the vanilla trade. Now loaded with this knowledge you can wow your friends at the next get together with all your vanilla bean trivia.