7/26/2023 0 Comments French vanilla vs vanilla beanGourmet vanilla beans are not solely produced by any of the three main species. Vanilla Planifolia is the most common type of vanilla orchid, but there are two other types that can also be easily sourced: Vanilla Tahitensis, and Vanilla Pompona, both being hybrid species of Planifolia. The vanilla orchid originated in rainforests in Mexico and Central and South Americas. Vining, tropical orchids are responsible for all of the world’s vanilla bean supply. Do gourmet vanilla beans come from a certain species of plant? Looking to better your understanding of the different grades of vanilla beans? Check out the full post, here. Want to try your hand at making homemade vanilla bean extract? We recommend using these vanilla bean cuts to save time and money. They are also great for making powders and pastes for the same reason. The low moisture level brings forth that concentrated vanilla flavor that is best experienced when long infusion times are possible. Grade B beans also have a n alternative moniker-extract grade-and that is exactly what they are best suited for (making extracts). Professional chefs typically prefer the gourmet beans, not because of their appearance, but because the seeds are easy to scrape from the bean and the moisture level allows for the flavor to easily infuse into their preparations. Appearance-wise, the grade B beans will be thin, drier, and more brittle. Grade B vanilla beans, on the other hand, will fall short of the 25% moisture level. They appear plump and supple and will likely have an oily sheen about them. Gourmet beans are graded as such if they have over a 25% moisture level and are free from splits and other imperfections. The gourmet, or grade A, designation of bean allows consumers to quickly interpret the moisture content of the bean. What is the moisture content and appearance of gourmet vanilla beans and why does it matter? They are categorized as such due to higher moisture levels and pristine appearance. When people say, “gourmet vanilla beans”, they are referring to the grade A beans, which are also sometimes called prime or luxury beans. There are two main categories of vanilla bean: Grade A and Grade B. Let’s take a deeper look at the characteristics and uses of gourmet vanilla beans. Gourmet vanilla is simply a classification of vanilla bean based on that particular beans moisture content and aesthetic appeal. Is all vanilla considered gourmet vanilla, no. Does all gourmet vanilla fall under the vanilla category, yes. You see, vanilla is an overarching term that commonly includes many variations of vanilla flavoring agents: pure extract, imitation extract, powders, pastes, whole beans with varying degrees of flavor concentrations, and being sourced from a multitude of regions and species of beans. One of those questions is about the difference between vanilla and gourmet vanilla-a question that can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”. That’s why this post is meant to clear up any questions revolving around what gourmet vanilla actually is, as well as what it isn’t. So when we discuss the different grades, species, and regional origins to some folks, they look at us as if we are speaking a foreign language. Sometimes, when we are talking about vanilla, we fail to consider that not everyone is as utterly as obsessed with vanilla beans as our team here at Slofoodgroup.
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