Vanilla 101

Both from Africa, both V. planifolia, both Grade A — but Ghana's Kintampo and Tanzania's Lindi express themselves in beautifully different ways. Discover the subtle flavor differences between these two exceptional African vanilla beans and find out which one belongs in your next extract.

Same species, two very different beans. Discover how Peruvian and Mexican V. pompona vanilla beans compare in size, shape, and flavor — and which spirits bring out the best in each when making your own vanilla extract.

Make homemade vanilla extract with dad this Father's Day — a simple, personal, and lasting gift that captures a moment in time. Choose beans based on his favorite desserts, use his favorite spirit, and create something that will remind you of him every time you bake.

Got a half bottle of one vodka and a half bottle of another? Here's what you need to know before blending spirits for your homemade vanilla extract.

Ugandan and Tanzanian vanilla beans are both V. planifolia from East Africa — but they couldn't taste more different. Compare their flavor profiles, best uses, and ideal spirits to find your perfect African vanilla extract.

A homemade vanilla extract gift box is the perfect birthday gift — personal, beautiful, and built to last for decades. Learn how to choose the right vanilla beans, monthly blend, jar, label, spirit, and finishing touches to create a birthday memory that never expires.

Because the foundation to everything sweet and good… is vanilla.

There’s something about gifting vanilla that feels different than handing someone a quick store-bought present. Vanilla carries time in it. Thought. Intention. Anticipation.

It says:
I thought about what would make your mornings cozier.
Your baking sweeter.
Your kitchen warmer.
Your life just a little softer.

 

 

V. pompona is one of the rarest vanilla species on earth — and Mexican and Madagascar pompona are its two most distinctive expressions. They share a species name but deliver dramatically different flavor profiles: the Mexican Oaxaca is bold, dark, and earthy with caramel and molasses depth, while the Madagascar Ambilobe is bright, tropical, and banana-forward. Learn how to tell them apart visually, what makes each one unique, and which spirits bring out the best in both.

Spring calls for light, floral, and delicately sweet vanilla extracts. Here are 5 origin-and-spirit combinations to start now — perfect for macarons, berry tarts, whipped creams, and warm-weather cocktails.

Hurricanes and typhoons cannot cross the equator — a fact of atmospheric physics that has profound implications for vanilla farming. Learn why equatorial growing regions are storm-protected, and what Cyclone Enawo's 2017 destruction of Madagascar's vanilla crop revealed about global supply chain fragility.

Noticed condensation inside your sealed vanilla extract jar? It's completely normal. Learn the science behind why moisture forms inside a closed jar with alcohol and vanilla beans — and what it means for your extract.

Both Hawaiian and Mexican Veracruz vanilla beans are Vanilla planifolia — but their terroir creates dramatically different flavor profiles. Learn which beans pair best with which spirits for crafting exceptional homemade vanilla extract.