Most of the beans are collected to make extract; however some are used in bean form. Ideally, the bean should be between 7 to 9 inches in length. It should be harvested when the tips start turning yellow, and it is OK if the bean has a little split. It should have a dark chocolate brown or black color and you should be able to wrap it around your finger without breaking it.

Vanilla is used not only in pastries, desserts, and baked goods, but is also excellent with seafoods. It is also a popular ingredient of coffees, perfumes, cigars and pipe tobaccos. Try adding a vanilla bean to a jar of sugar for a uniquely-flavored sweetener. For a change of pace, add vanilla seeds to cottage cheese or flavored/plain yogurts and let stand overnight for an added boost of flavor.

Vanilla is used not only in pastries, desserts, and baked goods, but is also excellent with seafoods. It is also a popular ingredient of coffees, perfumes, cigars and pipe tobaccos. Try adding a vanilla bean to a jar of sugar for a uniquely-flavored sweetener. For a change of pace, add vanilla seeds to cottage cheese or flavored/plain yogurts and let stand overnight for an added boost of flavor.

Vanilla is used not only in pastries, desserts, and baked goods, but is also excellent with seafoods. It is also a popular ingredient of coffees, perfumes, cigars and pipe tobaccos. Try adding a vanilla bean to a jar of sugar for a uniquely-flavored sweetener. For a change of pace, add vanilla seeds to cottage cheese or flavored/plain yogurts and let stand overnight for an added boost of flavor.Vanilla is used not only in pastries, desserts, and baked goods, but is also excellent with seafoods. It is also a popular ingredient of coffees, perfumes, cigars and pipe tobaccos. Try adding a vanilla bean to a jar of sugar for a uniquely-flavored sweetener. For a change of pace, add vanilla seeds to cottage cheese or flavored/plain yogurts and let stand overnight for an added boost of flavor.