Shop Vanilla Value Packs

Our Value packs are a great way to try both our Vanilla Beans and Vanilla Powder at a discount price!

Multiple sizes available.

Each bundle includes a pack of whole vanilla beans and a pack of vanilla powder.

Vanilla Bean Pods

We offer two varieties of Vanilla bean pods ... Tahitensis "Tahitian" vanilla bean pods and Planifolia "Bourbon" vanilla bean pods. If you're not sure which to choose, let us help you...

Planifolia Vanilla Bean Pods:

This is the most common and widely used variety, often referred to as "Bourbon vanilla." It has a classic, rich, and creamy flavour with sweet and aromatic undertones. The flavour is well-balanced and is what most people associate with vanilla.

Tahitensis Vanilla Bean Pods:

Still not sure? ... Don't overthink it, they're both great! You won't be disappointed with either variety of vanilla pods. You can choose from the options in the listings or leave it up to us to send you whichever vanilla bean pods are great at the time. Or see our section "Which type of vanilla to choose?" for more information.

Just like our vanilla powder is made from a combination of both types of vanilla bean pods to capture the flavour profiles unique to each species. If making your own vanilla extract, for best results, we would recommend using a combination of both varieties of vanilla bean pods to add to the complexity of flavour.

Want to know more? ... Here's more detailed information about vanilla bean pods:

1. Appearance: Vanilla bean pods are long, thin, dark brown or black pods with a glossy exterior. They typically range from 12 to 25 centimeters (5 to 10 inches) in length, although sizes can vary depending on the variety and growing conditions. The vanilla bean pods you can expect to receive from us at Vanilla Bean House are a minimum of 16cm in length, ranging up to 20cm in length.
2. Texture: When fresh, vanilla bean pods are plump, supple, and slightly oily to the touch. The vanilla bean pods should be flexible but not brittle. The exterior of the vanilla bean pod is smooth, while the interior contains thousands of tiny seeds embedded in a sticky, aromatic substance. This is the part of the vanilla bean pod that holds the most flavour!
3. Varieties: While Vanilla planifolia is the most commonly cultivated species for commercial vanilla production, there are other species of vanilla orchids that produce vanilla bean pods with slightly different flavour profiles. Vanilla bean pods (from Vanilla planifolia) are considered the benchmark for quality and flavour, but vanilla bean pods are also available from the variety Vanilla Tahitensis - each variety of vanilla holds its own unique characteristics.
4. Aroma: High-quality vanilla bean pods have a rich, sweet, and floral aroma with hints of caramel and spice. The aroma is most pronounced when the pod is split open to reveal the tiny seeds inside.
5. Flavour Profile: The flavour of vanilla bean pods is complex, combining sweet, creamy, and floral notes with subtle hints of spice and fruitiness. The intensity and depth of flavor can vary depending on factors such as the origin of the beans, the curing process, and the age of the pods.
6. Storage: Vanilla bean pods should be stored in a cool, dark place in an airtight container (the re-sealable pouch they come in is perfect!) to preserve their flavour and aroma. Avoid storing them in the refrigerator, as the cold temperature can cause the vanilla bean pods to become dry and brittle. Properly stored, vanilla bean pods can retain their quality for several months to a year or more.
7. Usage: Vanilla bean pods are typically used to infuse flavour into recipes rather than being consumed whole. To extract the seeds, the vanilla bean pod is split lengthwise with a sharp knife, and the vanilla bean pod seeds are scraped out using the back of the knife or a spoon. The vanilla bean pod seeds can then be added directly to the recipe, while the emptied vanilla bean pod can be further used to infuse flavour into liquids or sugar. Never throw away a vanilla bean pod, it still holds a huge amount of flavour! Pop it in some sugar for vanilla bean pod sugar, drop them into vodka or other spirit to make the most divine vanilla extract. You can also boil them up with sugar syrup for an amazing vanilla bean pod syrup to add to coffee or other drinks. Or use the leftover vanilla bean pod to make your own vanilla paste. Basically as long as the remaining vanilla bean pod hasn't been in milk or something other than water or sugar you can re-use it!
8. Cost: Vanilla bean pods are one of the most expensive spices in the world due to their labor-intensive cultivation, pollination, and curing process, which is all very labour intense and is done by hand. The high cost is also influenced by factors such as crop failures, fluctuations in demand, and the time-consuming nature of vanilla bean pod cultivation.
9. Sustainability: Vanilla bean pod cultivation faces sustainability challenges due to issues such as deforestation, climate change, and fluctuating market prices. Efforts are underway in some regions to promote sustainable vanilla bean pod farming practices, including organic cultivation, fair trade initiatives, and community-based cooperatives.

Overall, vanilla bean pods are prized for their exquisite flavour, aroma, and versatility in culinary applications, making them a cherished ingredient in kitchens around the world. We are very fortunate to have this luxurious and delicious spice available to us here in Australia.

Vanilla bean pods are fascinating in both their history and their use in various culinary applications. If you're still reading here are some more interesting facts about vanilla bean pods and how they're used:

1. Origin: Vanilla bean pods come from orchids of the genus Vanilla, primarily from the species Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla Tahitensis.
2. Hand-Pollination: Vanilla bean pod orchids are not naturally pollinated by bees or other insects. Instead, they rely on a specific type of bee found only in Mexico. Outside of Mexico, vanilla flowers must be hand-pollinated, a labor-intensive process that contributes to the high cost of vanilla bean pods.
3. Curing Process: Vanilla bean pods undergo a curing process after harvest to develop their characteristic flavour and aroma. This process typically involves blanching, sweating, drying, and conditioning the vanilla bean pods over several months.
4. Vanillin Content: The primary compound responsible for the characteristic flavour and aroma of vanilla bean pods is vanillin. While natural vanilla bean pods contain vanillin, artificial vanillin is often used as a less expensive alternative in many commercial products. This synthetic alternative is primarily made from by-products of coal and tar.
5. Grade Levels: Vanilla bean pods are graded based on their quality, length, moisture content, and appearance. Grade A vanilla bean pods are the highest quality and are typically plump, oily, and flexible.
6. Usage in Cooking: Vanilla bean pods are commonly used to flavour desserts such as ice cream, custards, cakes, and cookies. They're also used in beverages like coffee, hot chocolate, and cocktails. Additionally, vanilla bean pods can be used to infuse flavour into sauces, syrups, and savory dishes.
7. Extract Production: Vanilla bean pod extract is made by macerating chopped vanilla bean pods in alcohol and allowing them to infuse over time. The resulting liquid vanilla extract is then used as a flavouring agent in various recipes.
8. Vanilla Bean Pod Scraping: To extract the tiny vanilla pod seeds within the vanilla bean pod, chefs often split the vanilla bean pod lengthwise and scrape out the vanilla seeds using the edge of a knife. These vanilla seeds, also known as vanilla bean pod caviar, are highly aromatic and contain the most flavour within the vanilla bean pod.
9. Versatility: While vanilla bean pods are most commonly associated with sweet dishes, they can also be used to add depth and complexity to savoury dishes. For example, vanilla can complement the flavours of seafood, poultry, and vegetables in certain recipes.
10. Health Benefits: Vanilla bean pods contain antioxidants and have been associated with various potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and mood-enhancing effects. However, these benefits are attributed to the compounds found in whole vanilla bean pods rather than synthetic vanillin (which is no good for you at all!)

Overall, vanilla bean pods are not only a staple ingredient in many desserts but also offer versatility and depth of flavour that can enhance a wide range of culinary creations. Vanilla bean pods are not only used in custards and vanilla flavoured dishes, but also enhance the flavour in most baking and dessert recipes. Such as fruity, chocolate and coffee flavoured sweets.

Our pure, organic, ground vanilla powder...

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.

We make our vanilla powder from whole, fresh, unaltered, organic vanilla beans. 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.

Most vanilla sellers buy their powder pre-ground. When purchased pre-ground, not only is there no way of knowing how old it is, but more often than not, the vanilla beans used have already had the flavour extracted to make vanilla essence. The remaining flavourless vanilla pods, which are a by-product of this process, are then dried out and ground up (this is known as spent beans) ... We're not into that. We stand behind our product and only sell the best quality vanilla that we would be 100% happy to receive and use ourselves!

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 considered to be 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.