The Vanilla Series
Vanilla, with its sweet, aromatic essence, is a staple in kitchens around the world. Yet, not all vanilla beans are created equal. The flavor profile of vanilla can vary dramatically depending on where it's grown. Let's take a journey through some of the most renowned vanilla origins, each offering a unique and distinctive taste experience.
Papua New Guinea Planifolia Vanilla
Papua New Guinea's Planifolia vanilla beans are known for their unique flavor profile, which includes fruity, floral, and cocoa notes. These beans are highly prized by chefs and food enthusiasts for their complex and rich flavor. The fruity notes can vary from cherry-like to raisin, while the floral tones add a delicate sweetness. The cocoa notes provide a deep, chocolatey undertone, making Papua New Guinea's Planifolia vanilla beans a versatile and sought-after ingredient for a variety of culinary applications.
Papua New Guinea Tahitensis Vanilla
Papua New Guinea's Tahitensis vanilla beans are renowned for their distinct flavor profile, which includes notes of cherry and prune. This unique combination of flavors sets them apart from other vanilla varieties, making them a sought-after ingredient in the culinary world. The cherry notes provide a bright, fruity sweetness, while the prune-like flavors add a rich, deep undertone. Papua New Guinea's Tahitensis vanilla beans are prized by chefs and food enthusiasts for their complex and luxurious taste, making them a valuable addition to a wide range of dishes and desserts.
Madagascar Black Gourmet Vanilla
Black gourmet vanilla from Madagascar, often referred to as Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, is renowned for its exceptional quality and rich, creamy flavour profile.In the world of gourmet vanilla, Madagascar Bourbon vanilla holds a special place, often regarded as the gold standard for vanilla flavour. Its popularity is due to its excellent quality, distinct aroma, and ability to enhance a wide range of desserts, beverages, and savoury dishes.
Madagascar T.K Vanilla
The TK vanilla, aka brown vanilla, is a black vanilla with a lower moist level than Gourmet vanilla. It is used to produce powders and natural extracts. Its level of vanillin is higher than the vanillin level of the vanilla extract. Europeans are the main users of TK vanilla.
Madagascar RED Vanilla
22-25% humidity, which begins to appear "fox-coloured" red in contours and surface. These are beautiful and while you must get closer to smell the flavour, the flavour when used in cooking baking etc. is just as potent as TK quality!
Madagascar Pompona Vanilla
Like the other vanilla varieties, Pompona vanilla beans have their own unique set of attributes to impart into foods, beverages, and wide array of other vanilla scented products. Pompona beans are often described as being sweet and oily, possessing notes of fresh, ripe plums, dried fruits, and cherries.
Premium Indonesia Vanilla
Indonesia's Planifolia vanilla, also known as Indonesian vanilla or simply "Indonesian vanilla beans," is another popular variety of vanilla with its own unique characteristics. Indonesian Planifolia vanilla beans are typically smaller and thinner than Bourbon vanilla beans, with a higher moisture content. They are also highly regarded for their distinctive flavour profile of Toasty, Nutty and Mellow notes.
Premium Tahiti Tahitensis Vanilla
Tahitian Vanilla comes from the fruit of an orchid variety called Vanilla Tahitensis which is a completely different species than the Bourbon (Planifolia) varieties from Madagascar. Tahitian vanilla pods are more delicate than Bourbon beans with completely different flavor profile - they are flowery, fruity and anisic with a smooth flavor. Gourmet pastry chefs love to work with the Tahitian variety because of their sweet floral flavor.
