How to Make Vanilla Extract
An easy to follow guide to making vanilla extract in your own kitchen
Technical Specifications
| Origin | Papua New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Species | Vanilla planifolia (Bourbon Vanilla) |
| Grade | Gourmet, Grade A, Prime, Black |
| Size | Avg 15-16 cm (5.9-6.3 Inches) and Up |
| Count Per Pound | Approximately 120-150 Beans (Average); Actual Count May Vary Based on Bean Length |
| Color/Appearance | Dark Brown to Black |
| Certifications | Kosher, GMP |
| Flavor Profile | Heavy, Well-Balanced, Smoky, Creamy, Rich |
| Tasting Notes | Chocolate, Sweet Cream Butter, Caramel, Smoky |
| Uses | Vanilla Extract, Baking, Pastries, Ice Cream, Mole Sauce, Savory Applications |
| Pairing | Chocolate, Cream-Based Desserts, Mexican Mole, Savory Sauces |
| Best For | Classic Vanilla Dishes and Savory Applications Alike — A Distinct Alternative to Madagascar Vanilla |
| Notable Fact | Papua New Guinea is the Only Country That Commercially Grows Both Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla tahitensis |
| Storage | Airtight Container, Cool, Dark Place |
| Packaging | Vacuum-Sealed, Food-Grade |
Well-Balanced Bourbon Vanilla Beans From Papua New Guinea
Vanilla Beans from Papua New Guinea are a high-quality Bourbon vanilla beans. Their fragrance can be described as heavy and well-balanced, with strong notes of chocolate and sweet cream butter and end notes of caramel and with a sweet smokey profile.
Bourbon Vanilla from Papua New Guinea has proven a great choice of vanilla bean for a variety of cooking and baking projects and are especially popular for classic vanilla dishes like pastries and ice cream. It's also perfect for more savory dishes like a Mexican mole.
Papua New Guinea is an up-and-coming region for vanilla cultivation. Both vanilla Planifolia and Vanilla Tahitentsis can be grown in Papua New Guinea.
Information about our Bourbon Vanilla Beans from Papua New Guinea:
A little-known fact about vanilla beans:
Why you should buy vanilla beans from Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea vanilla beans, planifolia type vanilla is dark brown, to black in color with aromatic notes that are smokey, creamy, and rich
Each gourmet bean is approximately 16+ cm in length.
They are produced in a region that produces extremely high-quality Vanilla Planifolia.
On average, there are 120-150 Papua New Guinea Vanilla Beans in a pound.
Every vanilla bean you purchase from SloFoodGroup will always be all natural, gluten-free, kosher, and non-GMO!
In 1841 a 12-year-old slave by the name of Edmond Albius resided on the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean and made a discovery that would change the culinary world forever. He found that the delicate vanilla orchid could be hand-pollinated. You see, up until this realization, vanilla orchids were only pollinated by a small, stingless bee called the Melipona, and some varieties of hummingbirds, which hindered global cultivation of the Vanilla beans. With Albius' discovery came greater cultivation and distribution potential. Papua New Guinea is now one of the leading vanilla producing countries in the world. Papua New Guinea also is the only country in the world that grows both planifolia, and Tahitensis or Tahitian vanilla. Both these types of vanilla beans are available in our online spice shop and are sourced directly from Papua New Guinea.
Not sure how to store vanilla beans?
*always store vanilla beans in an airtight container in a cool and dark place
Papua New Guinea vanilla beans are a premium quality vanilla that has significantly grown in popularity in recent years. Papua New Guinea, is now one of the top three producers of vanilla on a yearly basis. Vanilla from this virtually untouched and inaccessible region of the world supports small villages and macro economies. These vanilla beans are also a great alternative to Madagascar vanilla beans if you are just looking for something different.
Preguntas frecuentes
- Papua New Guinea Bourbon vanilla has a heavy, well-balanced fragrance with strong notes of chocolate and sweet cream butter, finishing with caramel and a subtle smokiness. It's rich and creamy, making it a versatile choice for both sweet and savory cooking.
- Papua New Guinea is the only country in the world that commercially grows both Vanilla planifolia (Bourbon-type) and Vanilla tahitensis (Tahitian-type), thanks to its favorable growing conditions. This gives buyers a choice between the rich, chocolatey profile of Bourbon vanilla and the lighter, floral profile of Tahitensis, both sourced from the same origin.
- In 1841, a 12-year-old enslaved boy named Edmond Albius, living on the French island of Réunion, discovered that vanilla orchids could be hand-pollinated. Before this discovery, vanilla could only be pollinated naturally by the Melipona bee and certain hummingbirds found in Mexico, which limited vanilla cultivation to its native region. Albius's technique made it possible to grow vanilla around the world, including in Papua New Guinea, which is now one of the top vanilla-producing countries.
- Our Papua New Guinea Bourbon vanilla beans measure approximately 16 cm (6.3 inches) in length and up, with roughly 120-150 beans per pound on average, though actual count can vary depending on bean length. All beans are all-natural, gluten-free, certified kosher, and non-GMO.
- Both are Vanilla planifolia, but PNG vanilla offers a distinct, smokier, more savory-leaning profile compared to Madagascar vanilla's classic sweet, creamy flavor. PNG vanilla is a great alternative if you're looking for something different, and its rich, well-balanced profile also makes it a great choice for savory applications like Mexican mole.











