Although vanilla beans are grown in several locations today, Mexico maintained a monopoly on vanilla beans until the 1800s despite the fact that explorers constantly uprooted the orchid vines to replant in their native lands. Botanists finally came to realize that melipone bees, native only to Mexico, were pollinating the flowers. Eventually, a man on Reunion Island discovered that the pointed stick of a bamboo shoot could be used to hand-pollinate the flowers. Once this was discovered, France planted vanilla on many of the tropical islands they ruled. To this day, former French colonies within about 25 degrees of the equator (with their warm, tropical climates) produce about 80% of the world’s vanilla. Ingredients: Mexican vanilla.
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I enjoy biting into the vanilla bean,then slice & remove seeds.I feel the whole bean has an amazing flavour,not just the seeds inside the pod,but the pod including the seeds.I use the whole bean. A bean.Amazing how one pod with seeds can have an abundance of flavour.Thank you
This vanilla bean has really great flavor. I have started making my own vanilla extract using these vanilla beans it is perfect.
Great vanilla beans
One of my favorite type of vanilla bean to bake with. Adds such depth of flavor
The Mexican Vanilla beans were great! They are currently soaking in vodka to make my vanilla extract.
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