How to Make Vanilla Extract
An easy to follow guide to making vanilla extract in your own kitchen
Vanilla, Grown Differently in Papua New Guinea
A Nation of Micro-Growers
PNG's vanilla industry is built on roughly 17,000 smallholder farming families, most tending just a handful of vines each, rather than large commercial estates. What you're buying is the product of thousands of individual growers' work.
One of the World's Top Vanilla Origins
Papua New Guinea consistently ranks among the world's top vanilla-producing nations, prized for a growing environment distinct from Madagascar, Indonesia, or any other origin.
Grown Differently, Tastes Different
PNG's vanilla is shaped by its unique climate, smallholder farming traditions, and the coexistence of two vanilla species in the same growing regions, giving it a flavor character unlike vanilla from anywhere else.
Bold Flavor, Better Value
Lower moisture content than Grade A means more concentrated vanillin per bean, delivering bold flavor at a significantly lower price point than gourmet beans.
Technical Specifications
| Origin | Papua New Guinea (PNG) |
|---|---|
| Species | Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla tahitensis (Natural Blend of Both) |
| Grade | Extract Grade B |
| Species Composition | Ratio of Vanilla planifolia to Vanilla tahitensis Not Disclosed or Guaranteed; Varies by Batch Based on Cooperative Harvest Pooling |
| Color/Appearance | May Contain Minor Cuts, Splits, and Bruising (Cosmetic Only) |
| Certifications | Kosher, GMP |
| Flavor Profile | Soft Floral, Stone Fruit, Touch of Smokiness |
| Uses | Homemade Vanilla Extract, DIY Soaps, Perfumes |
| Extraction Note | Steep in Your Preferred Alcohol for Best Extraction Results; Flavor Will Vary Based on Alcohol Type Used |
| Sourcing | Small-Scale Micro-Growers in Papua New Guinea, Organized Through Village-Based Cooperatives; Final Grading Consolidated Through a Central Grader |
| Storage | Airtight Container, Cool, Dark Place |
| Packaging | Food-Grade Vacuum Sealed Barrier Film Bag |
| Shelf Life | 12-18 Months When Properly Stored; Beans Will Gradually Dry Out Over Time |
Extraction Grade Vanilla Beans from Papua New Guinea (PNG)
These extraction grade vanilla beans are a blend of Vanilla Planifolia and Vanilla Tahitensis, suited specifically for making vanilla extract from scratch. As is the case with all Grade B Vanilla Beans, these beans are not perfect in appearance, but beautiful nonetheless. Extraction grade vanilla beans are the most economical choice, and because the vanillin is more concentrated than Grade A beans, they are perfect for producing a flavorful vanilla extract. Whether you're a seasoned vanilla connoisseur or a vanilla bean novice, extract vanilla beans are a great choice for gifting, baking, or any recipe that calls for vanilla extract.
Extraction grade vanilla beans are the same as gourmet vanilla, and in the case of ours, they come from the same network of Papua New Guinea growers that supply our Grade A beans. In PNG, vanilla is typically cultivated by many small-scale micro-growers, organized through village-based cooperatives, with pods consolidated and graded by a central grader. These beans simply do not meet our stringent Grade A standard. As is the case with all extract grade vanilla, our beans often contain minor cuts, splits, and other imperfections of natural processing. Grade B vanilla beans range from very dry to moist but are not typically as moist as Grade A beans (which leads to that concentrated vanilla flavor). They are often shorter than their gourmet counterpart and are not uniform in size. Looking for a more traditional vanilla flavor profile? Head on over to our Extract Grade B Madagascar vanilla beans for classic vanilla flavor.
Grade B Vanilla Beans for Making Extract
Two Vanilla Species, One Bold Extract
Grown by Many Hands
- These beans, while not uniform in size, average 12-14 cm in length.
- Each package contains a natural blend of Vanilla Tahitensis and Vanilla Planifolia, in a ratio that varies by batch and is not disclosed or guaranteed. This reflects how vanilla is sourced in Papua New Guinea, pooled across many small-scale cooperative growers rather than sorted by species before sale.
- Aromatic vanilla beans with soft floral and stone fruit notes and a touch of smokiness.
- Moisture content ranges from 23-28 percent, typical for Grade B vanilla beans.
- As with all extraction grade vanilla, beans may contain minor imperfections such as cuts, splits, and bruising. These are purely cosmetic, the bean itself remains full of concentrated flavor.
- Non-GMO, vegan, all-natural, and gluten-free.
- Kosher certified by EarthKosher.
Papua New Guinea is one of the only vanilla-producing regions in the world that commercially grows both Vanilla planifolia (Bourbon-type) and Vanilla tahitensis (Tahitian-type). Rather than choosing one species, these extract-grade beans are a natural blend of both, giving your homemade vanilla extract a layered flavor profile: the rich, chocolatey depth of Bourbon vanilla alongside the soft floral and stone fruit notes of Tahitian vanilla. If you'd prefer a single-species bean instead of a blend, we carry both gourmet varieties individually. This dual-species character is unique to PNG and can't be replicated by blending single-origin beans from other countries, since it comes from the same growing region and curing process.
Unlike vanilla grown on a single large estate, Papua New Guinea's vanilla comes from a network of small-scale micro-growers, often just a few vines tended by individual families, organized through village-based cooperatives. After harvest, pods from many growers are brought together and consolidated through a central grader, who sorts and classifies the beans before they reach export. This decentralized, community-based system means every batch of PNG vanilla represents the combined work of dozens of growers rather than a single farm, and buying it directly supports village-level income across the region's vanilla-growing communities.









