Shop Vanilla Powder

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Why our pure, organic, ground vanilla powder is the best!...

Most vanilla retailers buy their vanilla powder pre-ground. Without knowing they are often purchasing the spent, dried out, ground-up by-product from the vanilla essence making process. In other words, it’s already had the majority of its flavour extracted. Vanilla is an expensive commodity so companies will go to all lengths to make profits wherever they can.

In our early days we ourselves we’re purchasing pre-ground powder and although being assured it was made from un-spent beans (the term used for beans that have not had flavour extracted), often this was not the case as the product was often very dry, light in colour and somewhat flavourless. Although it could still technically be labelled as 100% ground vanilla beans this is not something we would ever want to pass on to you.

For this reason, we now grind our vanilla powder in-house from 100% fresh, un-spent, excellent quality, organic vanilla beans. We stand behind our product and only sell the best quality vanilla powder that we would be happy to receive and use ourselves, after all, it's all about the flavour! If the powder you have previously purchased or seen in the shops is a mid-brown colour and particularly dry, you should be very suspicious, please don’t waste your money, only purchase from a supplier who can guarantee they’ve ground the vanilla powder themselves.

Aside from the seeds / caviar the actual vanilla pod holds a huge amount of flavour. Our vanilla beans are gently dried and then ground in small batches. This is more labour intensive & expensive way to produce vanilla powder than what is generally available, but it's the only way to guarantee the best quality and freshness.

Our vanilla powder is made from a combination of two types of vanilla beans - Planifolia and Tahitensis. Each variety carries it's own unique flavour profiles. We use both varieties to make our vanilla powder to capture the flavour profiles unique to each species, making it an excellent all rounder. The Planifolia vanilla beans give a rich, creamy, classic vanilla flavour, while Tahitensis vanilla beans are highly aromatic and brings sweet, floral, fruity notes to the party.

Unlike essence, extract or paste, our vanilla powder is not diluted in any way. Being made from pure vanilla beans - it takes approximately 55 vanilla beans to make just 100g of vanilla powder! Our vanilla powder is potent so a little goes a long way. Half a teaspoon of powder is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of extract.

Our vanilla powder is a versatile favourite for cakes, biscuits, and slices, providing authentic vanilla flavour with a unique speckled appearance. It's a great substitute for vanilla extract or paste, elevating the taste and presentation of your baked goods. Use it anywhere you would use a vanilla extract or paste where you want great flavour with that real vanilla, speckled look.

What are Un-Spent Vanilla Beans? ...

"Un-spent vanilla beans" refers to vanilla beans that have not been used or exhausted in any way. In the context of vanilla powder production, the term means that the vanilla beans still retain their full flavour and have not been processed to extract their flavour compounds, such as vanillin, for use in products like vanilla extract or vanilla essence.

When vanilla beans are used to produce extract or essence, they are typically soaked in alcohol or another solvent to extract the flavour compounds. After this process, the vanilla beans may be considered "spent" because much of their flavour has been extracted, leaving them less flavourful and aromatic.

"Un-spent" vanilla beans, on the other hand, are those that have not undergone this extraction process and are still considered to have all their flavour and aroma. These vanilla beans may be used whole or ground to make products like vanilla powder, where the full flavour profile of the beans is preserved.

In summary, "un-spent vanilla beans" refer to vanilla beans that have not been used to extract their flavour and are still full of flavour and aroma. This is what our vanilla powder is made from.

Like to know more? Here's some general information about vanilla powder:

1. Production Process: Vanilla powder is made by grinding dried vanilla beans into a fine powder. The vanilla beans are cured and dried before being processed to ensure the vanilla powder retains that delicious rich flavour and aroma of pure vanilla. The grinding process may vary, but our vanilla powder is made by drying excellent quality, whole vanilla beans just enough to enable them to be ground to a fine vanilla powder.
2. Ingredients: Our Vanilla powder is made solely from excellent quality, whole, un-spent vanilla beans without the addition of any other ingredients. However, some commercial vanilla powders may contain added sugars or other flavourings to enhance sweetness or aroma. It's essential to check the ingredients list if you're looking for a pure vanilla powder.
3. Flavour Profile: High-quality vanilla powder has a rich, sweet, and floral flavour profile with hints of caramel and spice, similar to that of whole vanilla beans. The aroma is also intense and aromatic, reminiscent of freshly scraped vanilla seeds.
4. Texture: Vanilla powder has a fine texture, it blends well with dry ingredients, making it versatile for use in various recipes. It is not dissolvable. Vanilla powder will leave you baking with tiny brown specks, which also makes for a luxurious genuine vanilla look.
5. Usage: Vanilla powder is incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide range of culinary applications, including baking, cooking, and beverage-making. It's particularly convenient for recipes where you want a strong, real vanilla flavour and would also like to avoid extra liquid. Vanilla powder can be added directly to dry ingredients like flour or sugar, or mixed into wet ingredients like batter or dough.
6. Storage: Proper storage of vanilla powder is essential to preserve its flavour and aroma. It should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and moisture. The resealable pouch our vanilla powder comes in is perfect if kept in the right place. Properly stored, vanilla powder can retain its quality for an extended period.
7. Potency: Vanilla powder is highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. It's essential to use it sparingly, as adding too much can overpower the other flavours in your recipe. Generally, half a teaspoon of vanilla powder is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
8. Substitution: Vanilla powder can be used as a substitute for vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste in most recipes. However, due to its concentrated nature, you may need to adjust the amount used to achieve the desired level of flavour.
9. Quality and Source: When purchasing vanilla powder, it's essential to look for high-quality products made from pure vanilla beans. All our vanilla powder is organic, rainforest grown and ethically sourced, supporting micro farmers and their families.
10. Cost: Vanilla powder is generally more affordable than whole vanilla beans but may be slightly more expensive than vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, depending on the quality and purity of the product. However, its potency means that a small amount can go a long way, making it a cost-effective option for adding vanilla flavour to your recipes.

Overall, vanilla powder is a convenient and versatile option for adding the delicious flavour and aroma of vanilla to a wide variety of dishes, making it a pantry staple for many home cooks and professional chefs alike.