** PRICE IS PER POD **
Vanilla pods, also known as vanilla beans, are the fruit of the vanilla orchid plant.
Here's some information about vanilla pods:
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Appearance: Vanilla pods are long, thin, and dark brown or black in color. They are typically around 5 to 8 inches long and have a glossy appearance. The pods contain thousands of tiny seeds.
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Flavor and Aroma: Vanilla pods are prized for their sweet, floral aroma and rich, complex flavor profile. They offer a deep, creamy, and slightly woody taste with sweet undertones.
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Culinary Uses: Vanilla pods are used to infuse flavor into various dishes. They are commonly split open lengthwise, and the seeds are scraped out using the back of a knife. Both the seeds and the pod are used in cooking to impart flavor. The seeds are often added to recipes such as custards, ice creams, cakes, and other desserts to add a rich vanilla taste.
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Vanilla Extract: The seeds and pods are also used to make vanilla extract. The pods are soaked and steeped in alcohol, extracting the flavor and aroma. Vanilla extract is a common ingredient in baking and cooking.
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Storage: Vanilla pods should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. When stored properly, they can maintain their quality for a long time.
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Availability: Vanilla pods are available in specialty food stores, gourmet markets, or online. They are considered a premium ingredient and can be more expensive than vanilla extract or other flavorings.
When using vanilla pods, their seeds and pod itself can be used to infuse dishes with flavor. The seeds are typically scraped out and added to recipes, while the pods can be used whole or split open to release the seeds and aromatic oils. After using the seeds, the pods can be added to sugar to make vanilla-infused sugar or reused in other recipes to extract more flavor.
