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How to Use Your Vanilla Beans and a guide to the different grades

How to Use Your Vanilla Beans and a guide to the different grades

Jan 16, 2025

Vanilla beans are a luxurious ingredient that can elevate many dishes. Here’s a guide to understanding the different grades and sourcing can help you get the most out of the flavor of this aromatic spice.


What are the different Vanilla Bean grades?

  • Grade A (Gourmet): The creme de la creme of Vanilla beans, they have a high moisture content, have a plum form and are oily in texture. They are best used for custards, ice creams, and panna cotta because of their plumpness, moisture, and high oil content.

  • Grade B : Drier, shorter in length and suited for making extracts, vanilla paste and baked goods.

  • Grade C : Dry, thin and short beans they are suited to grind and make vanilla powder or they are most commonly used for extracts



How to Use Vanilla Beans and which grade would suit best for your need?

  1. Vanilla Extract: Use Grade B or C beans to create a rich extract.

  2. Vanilla Sugar: Mix sugar with Grade C seeds to make a flavorful sweetener, or you can also use you leftover beans from your extract and dip them in sugar to make vanilla sugar

  3. Vanilla Ice Cream: Use Grade A beans for a creamy dessert.

  4. Custards and Puddings: Enhance depth with Grade A beans.

  5. Infused Spirits: Use Grade B beans for distinctive cocktails.

  6. Baked Goods: Improve flavors with grade B and C beans.

  7. Savory Dishes: Add a hint of sweetness with Grade A beans.



Maison Vanilla offers top-quality vanilla beans from Indonesia, ensuring they are both ethically and sustainably sourced.

 Whether you need Grade A, B or C beans, and within the grades we can work to meet your needs. Feel free us to explore our premium vanilla products and enhance your culinary creations!