Gregg's Vanilla Beans

Native to the tropical rainforests of South-East Mexico and Central America vanilla pods are the fruits of the golden-flowered vanilla orchid, a large, climbing plant with smooth, thick and numerous twining aerial roots by which it clings to trees. The pods (commercially called beans) have no flavour when picked, as the flavour develops during the curing process. The beans are very dark brown and contain thousands of tiny, black seeds that appear paste-like until separated.

The spice's flavour is rich, full, aromatic, sweet and powerful, with liquor overtones. Vanilla is predominantly used for enhancing sweet foods such as custards and fruit compotes.