The Best Choice for DIY Vanilla Paste and Powder
Looking for a cost-effective way to create your own vanilla extract, paste, or powder? Try vanilla bean cuts—your new go-to for rich, homemade vanilla flavor.
This vanilla won't win any beauty pageants. It's brittle and chopped‚ but that's what makes them exceptional at making vanilla paste and powder. One customer described them as "little twigs" and that's accurate! Because these pod pieces look inferior, it's believed home consumers won't want them—and cuts usually go straight to industry buyers. But here's three reasons why you should embrace using them:
- Exceptional Value: Vanilla bean cuts are an affordable alternative, costing half as much as whole beans, making gourmet-quality vanilla accessible to everyone.
- Rich, Intense Flavor: The dryness of these beans means higher vanillin content, leading to faster infusion and a more concentrated flavor in your homemade vanilla creations.
- Eco-Friendly Choice: By choosing vanilla bean cuts, you’re reducing food waste and supporting responsible sourcing. Plus, they come in compostable, plant-based packaging.
Please Note: Due to their lower moisture content, vanilla cuts may not have a strong aroma.
Details:
- Each pack contains 47 grams (1.7 oz) of vanilla cuts, perfect for making one pint of single-fold vanilla extract or paste. For double-fold vanilla, use 8 oz of alcohol per pack (or purchase two packs).
- Packaged in plant-based, compostable refill packaging.
- Ethically harvested in Madagascar.
- Paste recipe card include. Make sure to add a refill of xanthan gum.
Packaging is not meant for long-term storage! Transfer to airtight container if you do not use immediately.
Making vanilla gifts? Shop all supplies here.
Explore Gneiss Spice’s Vanilla TutorialsToday!
FAQs:
- How many vanilla pods are in a pack of cuts? Cuts are not whole pods; they are pieces of vanilla splits roughly 2-3 inches in length. The cover photo of the hand holding the pods shows the correct 47 gram amount. We estimate it's about 25-40 small beans per pack.
- Why not grade A beans? Grade A beans, with their plump and shiny appearance have a higher moisture content. Chefs love them for cooking, as their flavor is more easily absorbed into a dish. However, due to the higher moisture content, they have less vanilla flavor per ounce. When making extract, we want the uglier and drier, yet more flavorful beans.
- How do I make extract? It's as easy as slicing beans in half the long way and covering with alcohol. The hardest part is waiting. See our detailed Vanilla Extract Tutorial.
- What is double-fold vanilla? It is a more intense vanilla extract made by using double the ratio of vanilla. To make double-fold vanilla, use one pack of cuts per 8 oz of alcohol. We do not recommend making extract in quantities smaller than 1 cup.
- Can I make non-alcoholic extract? Yes! You can use 3 parts food-grade glycerin mixed with 1 part distilled water in place of alcohol.
Want to make vanilla paste? Watch our TikTok tutorial here:
