How to Make Vanilla Extract
An easy to follow guide to making vanilla extract in your own kitchen
What Makes This Vanilla Worth Choosing
Terroir, Not Technique
Cured using the same traditional Bourbon method as Madagascar and Comoros, Indonesian vanilla's smoky, woody character comes from its volcanic Sunda Islands terroir, not a different process, much like wine grapes grown in different regions.
Built to Withstand Heat
Unlike many vanillas that lose potency under high heat, Indonesian vanilla holds its flavor through baking and cooking, making it a versatile choice for hot and cold applications alike.
Concentrated Flavor, Better Value
Lower moisture content than Grade A means more concentrated vanillin per bean, delivering bold flavor at a significantly lower price point.
A Flavor Bridge Between Two Favorites
Often described as a cross between Mexican and Madagascar vanilla, Indonesian vanilla offers a genuinely unique middle ground worth exploring. This structure now works cleanly: the header promises "several reasons," and each of the four points can stand on its own distinct merit (terroir story, heat performance, value, flavor positioning) without needing to force a shared theme across all of them.
Technical Specifications
| Origin | Indonesia (Sunda Islands) |
|---|---|
| Species | Vanilla planifolia (Bourbon-Type) |
| Grade | Extract Grade B |
| Color/Appearance | Brown to Black; May Have Cosmetic Defects, Splits, or Variegation |
| Moisture Content | 24-29% |
| Size | Avg 12-14 cm (4.7-5.5 Inches), With Natural Variance |
| Certifications | Kosher, GMP |
| Growing Region | Volcanic Soil, Sunda Islands, Ring of Fire |
| Curing Method | Traditional Bourbon Method (Same as Madagascar and Comoros) |
| Flavor Profile | Sweet, Smoky, Woody, Chocolatey |
| Uses | Homemade Vanilla Extract, Rich Desserts, Baking, High-Heat Recipes |
| Pairing | Chocolate, Caramel, Deep/Dark Flavor Profiles |
| Heat Stability | Holds Up Well in High-Heat Cooking and Baking |
| Storage | Avg 12-14 cm (4.7-5.5 Inches), With Natural Variance |
| Packaging | Food-Grade Vacuum Sealed Barrier Film Bags |
Bulk Extract Grade B Vanilla Beans from Indonesia (Best for Making Vanilla Extract)
Rich and aromatic, these vanilla beans are slightly shorter than their grade A counterparts but do not let that fool you. Our Indonesian vanilla beans are just as powerful as our gourmet vanilla with notes that have a complex similarity to a cross between Mexican vanilla and Madagascar vanilla beans.
We recommend these vanilla beans for customers wanting to make a deep, dark and potent vanilla extract. The sweet, dark chocolate and smoky/woody flavor notes lend themselves well to richer desserts and recipes that call for chocolate, caramel, or other deep flavors. Indonesian vanilla holds up well in recipes that require high heat making your homemade vanilla extract very versatile for both hot and cold applications that use vanilla flavor.
Indonesian Vanilla Bean Facts:
Why Indonesian Vanilla Tastes So Different
Same Vine, Different Grade
- Average size of each vanilla pod is 12-14+ centimeters
- Moisture content 24-29%
- Great for extract production due to lower moisture content
- Strong notes of sweet, smoky, and chocolate flavor
- Average count per pound: 120-160 beans, may vary based on bean length
- Grown in Indonesia's volcanic Sunda Islands using traditional vanilla curing practices
- Kosher certified
*Always store vanilla beans in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Indonesian vanilla shares the same traditional Bourbon curing method used in Madagascar and Comoros, blanching, sweating, sun-drying, and conditioning, so the distinctive smoky, woody character of Indonesian vanilla doesn't come from a different process. It comes from terroir, much like how the same winemaking techniques produce different-tasting wines depending on where the grapes are grown. Grown across the volcanic Sunda Islands along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesian vanilla vines are cultivated in nutrient-rich soil and a hot, humid climate distinct from Madagascar or Comoros, giving the beans their signature smokiness even with the same curing method applied.
Grade B, or extract-grade, vanilla beans are simply beans that don't meet the length or cosmetic standards required for gourmet classification. They may be shorter, drier, or contain minor splits or blemishes, but they come from the exact same vines and curing process as our gourmet Grade A Indonesian vanilla. In fact, because Grade B beans have lower moisture content than Grade A, their vanillin is more concentrated per bean, making them especially well-suited for steeping into a bold, flavorful extract at a fraction of the cost of gourmet beans. For a full walkthrough of the extraction process, see our guide to making vanilla extract.
Questions fréquemment posées
- Indonesian vanilla is cured using the same traditional Bourbon method as Madagascar and Comoros vanilla, blanching, sweating, sun-drying, and conditioning, so the difference doesn't come from the process. It comes from terroir, much like how the same winemaking techniques produce different-tasting wines depending on where the grapes are grown. Grown across the volcanic Sunda Islands along the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesian vanilla vines are cultivated in a distinct climate and soil, giving the beans their signature smoky, woody character even with the same curing method applied.
- No, it's a different classification, not a lower grade of flavor. These beans come from the same vines and curing process as our gourmet Indonesian vanilla, and simply don't meet the length or cosmetic standards for gourmet classification. Because Grade B beans have lower moisture content, their vanillin is more concentrated, making them especially well-suited for extract-making. If you'd prefer a longer, more uniform pod, we also carry gourmet Grade A Indonesian vanilla beans.
- These beans average 12-14+ cm in length, with a moisture content of 24-29%. There are approximately 120-160 beans per pound on average, though actual count can vary depending on bean length. All beans are Kosher certified.
- Yes. Indonesian vanilla is known for holding its flavor well under high heat, making it especially versatile for both hot applications like baking and cold applications like ice cream or whipped cream.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Vanilla beans will gradually dry out over time even under ideal storage conditions.