Vanilla beans are considered the most expensive agricultural commodity, after saffron. The vanilla bean is a fruit that is created as a result of pollinating orchid flowers and it’s so expensive because pollination has to be done by hand and on an individual basis. Nevertheless, vanilla with its exotic, luscious taste has crazed generations for centuries, creating a robust industry in the process. In cooking, vanilla beans are commonly replaced with vanilla extract, which is made by macerating vanilla beans in a mixture of water and alcohol. For me, vanilla extract is better suited for baking things like cookies whereas vanilla beans are better for custards or baking fluffy desserts like cakes or muffins, besides the black specs add an elegant touch!
Vanilla beans, which kind of look like little baby alien fingers can be a bit intimidating when you don’t know how to prep them correctly. The pulp, which looks like tiny black specs has all that magical flavor! Here we are going to learn how to get open and get the pulp correctly:
The beans have a flat side.
Lay the bean on its flat side on a cutting board and make sure it’s fully stretched. Insert a paring knife into the top of the bean and and start spitting it by half.
Once you are finished, you will have two sides of the beans! The goodness is in those tiny little specs! 
Use the paring knife to remove the pulp.
You can use the seeds in making delicious desserts like this persimmon creme brule.
But wait! Don’t throw the empty beans away! You can use them to naturally flavor sugar.. or create you own vanilla extract by macerating the bean shells on a nice vodka!
Reblogged this on Gigi's Little Shop.
“Vanilla beans, which kind of look like little baby alien fingers” I actually laughed out loud. Thanks for the useful tips!
Thanks girl!!
Beautiful photos as always. Vanilla beans would be my number one spice and our kitchen is never without it
That is a kitchen I would like to be in!
so informative! great post xx
Hi! Thanks for reading
Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing,I am lived in San Francisco about 7 years,but I left in 2011 to the Alaska-Juneau to sail solo around the world in SAN JUAN 24-foot sailboat,but I lost it on the reef in June 24, 2012. Now will be second attempt solo around the world in May of 2013 from Washington state
Wow, what a great story! Good luck in your trip!
Remind me to never ever get in a knife altercation with you….
Hahaha! Best comment ever!
it’s funny you blogged that….i was watching Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and he was demonstrating how to cut a vanila bean…..
Crazy!! Thanks for stopping by
Hi! I really like your blog (your photos, especially, are fantastic!), so I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. It’s not a huge thing, so don’t feel obligated to do anything about it if you don’t want. But I wanted you to know I look forward to your posts! http://jasonarust.com/2013/01/15/a-funny-thing-happened-at-bath-time-saturday-night/.
Hi Jason! Thank you so much and I really appreciate the nomination!
Wow, interesting blog
Thanks for stopping by mine! I hope to keep in touch!
Thank you!!
Your welcome
Very interesting. I have just always cut them on a bias. I imagine you have to have the right knife to pair them down the middle like that.
Hi, yes, a sharpened paring knife does the trick!
thanks for following my blog! by the way, you have the coolest blog name EVER – i LOVE croquettes! xo
Thank you!!!
Oh where were you 3 years ago when I got “complimentary” vanilla beans with a kombucha mother order and didn’t know what to do with them! :>)
Thanks for visiting me, so I could find you! From what I’ve read so far, I’m looking forward to finding your posts in my reader!
Beautiful photos! I’m afraid I may be too weary to make your recipes, but I will stay tuned just to ooh and aah over your gorgeous blog.
Hi! Thanks for your comment! Don’t be too weary, cooking it’s about the fun!
Great tip. Vanilla beans are pretty precious here so we don’t need to waste a bit.
I made a cheesecake for my hubby that called for vanilla beans. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the price. After reading this article it all makes sense. I still have the empty beans in the glass container they came in originally. I was going to buy vodka and make my own extract but I think that sticking them in the sugar jar sounds easier! BTW the vanilla bean jar smelled amazing when I first opened it!
I bet! I treasure all the vanilla beans I can get. Thanks for stopping by