Vanilla 101
Summertime Is Extract Time: Why V. tahitensis Vanilla Beans Are Summer's Secret Ingredient
V. tahitensis vanilla beans — grown in Tahiti, Ecuador, Papua New Guinea, and beyond — bring a light, fruity, floral sweetness that's made for summer. Start your extract now in vodka, gin, or white rum and it'll be ready just in time for next summer's best moments.
Mexican Vanilla Extract And Why You Should Make Your Own
Store-bought Mexican vanilla extract often contains corn syrup, added sugars, and even harmful additives. Making your own lets you choose premium beans, select your favorite spirit, and enjoy pure Mexican vanilla extract in its finest form.
3 Different Species of Mexican Vanilla — And Why They Taste Nothing Alike
Mexico is home to three distinct vanilla species — V. planifolia, V. cribbiana, and V. pompona — each with a completely different flavor, appearance, and culinary character. Here's how to tell them apart and which one is right for you.
Why You Should Make Your Own Vanilla Extract Instead of Buying It
Store-bought vanilla extract is expensive, opaque about ingredients, and rarely aged long enough to develop real complexity. Here's why making your own is the smarter, more flavorful choice — and how to get started.
Why Making Your Own Vanilla Bean Paste Is Smarter Than Buying It
Store-bought vanilla bean paste is expensive and full of additives. Learn how to make your own from spent vanilla extract beans — choosing your own origins and sweeteners — for a healthier, more affordable, and deeply satisfying alternative.
5 Vanilla Extracts to Make with Mom This Mother's Day
Skip the flowers. This Mother's Day, make something that lasts — five unique homemade vanilla extracts, each with a different bean origin and spirit pairing, that you and Mom can craft together and enjoy for years.
Marquesas Tahitian vs. Hawaiian Vanilla Beans: Two Pacific Origins, Two Worlds of Flavor
Two species. Two Pacific origins. Two completely different vanilla experiences. Explore how Marquesas Tahitian V. tahitensis and Hawaiian V. planifolia differ in flavor, aroma, culinary use, and extract-making potential.
Using Vanilla Beans from Different Spirits in Your First Mother Jar
Can you use vanilla beans from different spirit extracts in your mother jar? Yes — and it's encouraged. Learn how to blend beans safely for a one-of-a-kind extract.
Blending Spirits for Vanilla Extract: What You Need to Know
Can you blend spirits when making vanilla extract? Yes — but there are important things to know about ABV, flavor dominance, and blending within spirit families.
10 Desserts (and More) Elevated by Our Honey Spiced Vanilla Extract Blend
Our Honey Spiced Vanilla Extract Blend isn't just for baking — it belongs in your tea, on your ham glaze, and in everything in between. Here are 10 delicious ways to use it.
5 Easter-Inspired Vanilla Extracts You Need for All Your Easter Baking
Elevate your Easter table with five uniquely crafted vanilla extracts — from floral Tahitian vanilla for fruit desserts to a mocha blend for chocolate treats and morning coffee. Each one is designed to bring something special to your holiday baking.
15 Vanilla-Inspired Easter Desserts & Dishes to Make Easter Sunday
From a showstopping pineapple vanilla glazed ham to silky crème brûlée and floral vanilla layer cake, these 15 vanilla-inspired recipes will make your Easter Sunday table unforgettable.
