Beanilla’s excellent Madagascar, Tonga, Mexico, and Papua New Guinea vanilla beans are already featured on this site. When comparing the two, keep in mind the properties that differentiate them, such as flavor profile and origin. Which bean out of the Mexican and Tahitian bean would be best for another batch of extract. I don’t have a favorite — every vendor listed on this site sells some decent beans. Tahitian vanilla is much more rare. It is now cultivated in Uganda, Indonesia, Tonga, Hawaii, and India. Can I Substitute Chickpeas for Black Beans? Join our Private Extract-Making Facebook Group. Indonesian vanilla beans are rich with bold vanilla tones due to the climate, soil conditions and local curing techniques. Vanilla Tahitensis is a very close cousin of Planifolia. The pod, he says, is then allowed to dry for 20 days, then undergoes a fermentation process. Vanilla beans reviewed: India planifolia, Indonesia planifolia. Indonesian Vanilla Beans, with woody and smokey tones, provide a rich and deep vanilla flavor. Both types of vanilla beans last about 18 months under these conditions. As a country, Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands spanning 6,400 kilometers surrounded by beautiful waters right on the equator. So, though Vanilla Planifolia is grown in a number of places, Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla tastes different than it’s Ugandan, Hawaiian, Indonesian, etc. This recipe for baked pasta with Italian sausage and pumpkin sauce is rich, hearty, and loaded with deep flavors that warm and comfort! We are not sure what these are used for. But it gets more complicated because the vanilla orchid has been brought to tropical regions around the world and is now being cultivated in various growing regions and using a multitude of growing, harvesting, and curing methods—all of which contribute to varying flavor properties. I wanted to ask you, I purchased Madagascar, Tathitian, and Mexican beans from Arizona vanilla for my wife to make extract. Madagascar and Tahitian vanilla beans are no exception. It is named after the island upon which it’s commercial cultivation began, though its origin is debated among botanists and vanilla enthusiasts. Tahitian Vanilla (Vanilla tahitensis) is a natural hybrid between two vanilla species: Vanilla planifolia, better known as bourbon vanilla, and Vanilla odorata, a very rare vanilla found in the forests of Belize and Guatemala. These vanilla beans are different and therefore have different purposes. The flavor is perfect for darker chocolates, caramels and other rich recipes. Over 80% of the world’s vanilla supply comes from Madagascar and is cured in the traditional “Bourbon” method (which involves no bourbon - or other alcohol - whatsoever, but that’s another blog post!). Tahitian Vanilla offers a sweet vanilla flavor and a heady, floral aroma with notes of cherry and anise. These imperfections do not harm the integrity of the vanillin flavor but do make them less desirable by chefs around the world. Both Vanilla Planifolia and Vanilla Tahitensis are commonly grown in PNG, with the Bourbon variety contributing a well-balanced richness with buttery, caramel undertones, and the Tahitian variety emitting a dark yet subtle, oaky flavor with cherry undertones. Much like the Ugandan variety, Papua New Guinea (PNG) vanilla beans are under-represented in the vanilla realm but are quickly gaining traction. The difference between Madagascar and Mexican vanilla beans is minor compared to the massive difference between planifolia and tahitensis (Tahitian) vanilla beans. Join our Vanilla Bean Co-Op for grade-A beans starting at $11/oz. Vanilla extract is the most common form of vanilla used today. During the growing period, he says, Tahitian vanilla is fertilized by hand. refers to a place where this vanilla was grown, How to Clean & Maintain Your Wooden Cutting Board without Ruining It, 10 Clever Ways to Use Dryer Sheets That Don't Involve Laundry, Everything You Need to Know About Pepperoni, Pizza's BFF, Chefs' Favorite Caribbean Pantry Staples You Can Order Online. Classifying different types of vanilla beans can mean different things to different people. As heat can dry and damage the beans, place them in a dark, cool place (such as a pantry). Related Reading: The Best New Baking Books, Header image courtesy of Daniel Hurst Photography / Getty Images.