Reddit mentions: The best vanilla beans

Sure! I used a toddy-type cold-brewer (but the $10 version from Amazon). I poured half a bottle of middling gold rum, 40%, into the cold brewer. Then I added an equal amount of water to make it 20%, but you could add half as much to make it 30%. Then I added half a pound of Caribou's Mahogany roast (cheap coffee works fine for this), ground for drip to increase the rum-coffee surface area. Then I took two vanilla beans, split them, seeded each side and added the seeds and pod to the rum and coffee mixture. Let it sit for 24 hours, then drain. It'll drain faster than you'd think for a grind so fine, because the alcohol's viscosity is so low.

At some point, make brown sugar simple syrup. Boil 1 cup water, slowly stir in two cups brown sugar. Wait until cool. You can either add this to the coffee-rum-vanilla mix before or after draining.

It turns out pretty well! Pretty strong, pretty tasty, plenty of caffeine. I had more kahlua than could fit in a fifth bottle, so I added it to a mason jar with a cinnamon stick for an experiment. It was good, but needed horchata mixed with it to really balance it out. My bottle went in a couple days.

If you need vanilla beans, Amazon offers a great selection of quality beans for a good price. This is my recent go-to: http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Bourbon-Madagascar-Vanilla-Beans-Mushrooms/dp/B000ET4SM8/ref=sr_1_2?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1373602387&sr=1-2&keywords=vanilla+beans

Those look so delicious.

Energy bars can be super simple to make. Like homemade Lärabars are dates, almonds, and dried fruit (apple pie would also have cinnamon and cloves--Penzey's sells delicious true cinnamons that are sweet tasting, and comes in different size containers.). You can also get ground vanilla bean powder that's sweet and has no sugar. A little goes a long way, too. Dump the ingredients in your food processor and blend. They're so good. Trader Joe's has whole aisle of inexpensive dried fruits and nuts. Create your own combinations.

Here's a link for 26 must try energy bar recipes. Most are made from dried fruits, nuts, maybe some nut or seed butter, a little sweetener, and flavorings.

I always thought I didn't like dates until I tried fresh medjool dates from a grocery store produce section. Lots of warehouse stores have them, too. As do Indian grocers. The ones I had previously were old and dried out, in my white bread grocery store in the small town I grew up in.

Making your own trail mix would also be delicious, and the nuts and dried fruits are so good for you.

Having easy to make snacks that you can keep within reach can help you eat healthier with little effort.

VANILLA BEANS? I LOVE VANILLA BEANS!

No, but really. Wouldn't making your own vanilla extract be awesome? Yeah it would. Trust me.

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Penzey Spices, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, World Market.

Last time I bought some, I had a coupon for World Market and it was the best price of the places above.

For a less expensive option, you could try Spice House of Longwood, Spice Bazaar, or a mexican grocery, but I can't say I know those all too well.

Amazon seems like a great deal. I might buy some to make extracts for gifts.

I find the bean paste much more of a middle ground. I bake a lot, so I spend the money on high quality extract, and usually buy it every few months. On the other hand, I buy the paste from Amazon or at TJ's (if I can find it there) once every year or two. It's worth the splurge because it lasts a long time.

This is what I get. I usually pay about $5-10 for an oz of extract, so this is about the same per oz cost. Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste, with Gift Box, 4 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003L259AU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TJMqDbTCZY71N

It's this awesome vanilla bean paste - way better than the stuff in the baking aisle, and it's got the little vanilla specks in it!

Vanilla Beans. Even with shipping, they're much cheaper than Walmart - but don't be deceived by their price. These beans are not cheap bargain brand; They made the best creme brulee I've ever baked.

It’s definitely disheartening and I cried for a few days about it. Your emotions are completely valid. It took a ton of hard work to make that milk. But please don’t despair!

I ordered some non-alcoholic vanilla off amazon and it worked! I add 2 drops to a 4-5oz bottle and my baby has been drinking it without issue.

I also tried mixing half and half of thawed milk and recently fresh milk and he also took it just fine. I just didn’t continue doing it that way because it was more work. 🤷‍♀️

I’ve still got about 350oz of high lipase milk that I’ve decided to donate. I couldn’t bear to throw out all that hard work. I know my baby won’t ever be able to drink all that milk while I’m still BF in real time, and it’ll be nice to help babies in need!

https://www.amazon.com/Madagascar-Vanilla-FITNCLEAN-VANILLA-NON-GMO/dp/B07SK9L356?th=1

$18 for 5 beans.

Not cheap, but better. Also not vouching for quality of this brand/vendor, though my last vanilla bean purchase was from a different Amazon vendor, and they were amazing.

I ordered myself some vanilla beans and glass jars from amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Madagascar-Bourbon-Planifolia-Gourmet-Vanilla/dp/B005CJBKAI/ref=sr_1_2?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1416080707&sr=1-2&keywords=vanilla+beans

http://www.amazon.com/Wheaton-Capacity-Polypropylene-Poly-Vinyl-Diameter/dp/B003G2ZWVG/ref=pd_bia_nav_t_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ZT66NT3N6C0VWR8SWTE

I cut the beans in half and even distributed them through out all the bottles then just filled the rest up with cheap vodka. I did it about 3 months ago and the liquid is nice and dark. I made homemade labels with what kind of beans, to be stored in a cool dark place, and that you can top off the bottle with vodka as you use it for awhile. and then I tied it with some twine.

Totally feel you there. These are the beans I buy if you're ever ready to do it! It makes a big difference in my oats and chia pudding, but it does take some patience lol
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072TWG2CW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_uw3TBb7EG9TVK

Aside from vanilla beans themselves this is the best vanilla product I've come across.

Never done the vodka and vanilla beans thing you've done though.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00206VQJQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

All over the internet, as of 3am this morning, at least, they're about $3-6/pod.

Amazon has 5 pods: $17.50

Beanilla has 'em for $3.98 ... if you'll buy 25.

Neilson-Massey has 4.20 oz. (looks like maybe 35 beans) for $142.95, or about $4/pod.

Walmart wants 10 beans: $55.45

Penzys is charging $6+ for either Madagascar OR Mexican

These are the ones I got and they're great.

Can get them easily and cheaply from [Amazon] (http://www.amazon.com/Madagascar-Bourbon-Planifolia-Gourmet-Vanilla/dp/B005CJBKAI/ref=sr_1_8?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1374000511&sr=1-8) as well.

Ah, those are very expensive.. one bean is ~$15-20 USD. Is there any cheaper option? Can you just buy the interior beans? Will something like this work?

EDIT: Probably something like this? The first link is powder but this is ground vanilla bean.

I've gotten these Madagascar beans from Amazon once or twice and have always been impressed with the quality, especially for the price. Currently at $26 for 10 beans, which is $0.60 less per bean than Costco's price. (Though my order history tells me that the last time I bought them was in 2016, at which point it was $17 for 10, waaaaaahhhhhhh.)

Here you go :)

Vanilla Products USA 10 Tahitian Near Gourmet Grade A/B Vanilla Beans PNG 4~5" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072TWG2CW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JNtsDb3EA5SG6

penzeys, massey bean paste

purchased these before and was satisfied, seller also has larger lots of each variety: http://www.amazon.com/Madagascar-Bourbon-Assortment-Vanilla-SHIPPING/dp/B00CICNMTO/ref=sr_1_2?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1422677303&sr=1-2

Have you ever looked for vanilla beans in bulk? Real vanilla (not the extract) isn't cheap. Amazon has the good stuff for about $160 per 1/4 lb - so just north of $600 per pound. That makes the $400 seem downright reasonable.
https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Madagascar-Vanilla-Beans-Mushrooms/dp/B000CR1ELU

I use Grade B Madagascar Bourbon (which are pretty much all actually grown in Mexico). Link.

But you probably can't do a better job of explaining the different vanilla options than Denny Conn.

The only thing I can suggest is that I have noticed some "odd" sort off, cheesy, spoiled-milk type tastes when adding alcohol-based vanilla extract to cream, so these days I prefer to use a paste product like this Neilsen-Massey one

Vanilla bean is my vote!

I use Massey paste for great flavor & color. Don't have a heart attack when you see the price. Premium vanilla is insane right now.

Massey madagascar paste

I know this won't work for you now because of your time restraint, however, my wife and I make ice cream so we scrap vanilla beans. We use vanilla splits or Grade B vanilla beans.

All it means as far as I'm aware is that the vanilla bean was allowed to become a little over ripened and the end of the beans split. They are much cheaper but really there is nothing wrong with them!

[Here is an example of them on Amazon] (http://www.amazon.com/Split-Extract-Madagascar-Bourbon-Vanilla/dp/B00ESMCHS4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1418160131&sr=8-5&keywords=vanilla+bean+splits)

It's known as Vanilla Paste as well

I was looking at amazon for the beans and searched for grade A madagascar beans.

https://www.amazon.com/Vanilla-Products-USA-Gourmet-Madagascar/dp/B0198W203U

They don't have to be expensive. Here's a 1/4 pound for $17.95 on Amazon, just as an example.

This one is 100% vanilla bean powder, zero sugar. It's pricey, though it wouldn't take much to flavor a cup of coffee. https://www.amazon.com/Kiva-Vanilla-Gourmet-Madagascar-Bourbon/dp/B019G5H02A/ref=pd_ybh_a_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JZ4JHX8AKPDRKNZZS2VM

Its vanilla bean paste.