Vanilla is widely regarded as the second most expensive spice in world. It comes from the vanilla plant and more specifically the vanilla bean which is the part of the plant that what we use for various products like extract and powder.
The vanilla plant is actually an orchid and is a slow growing vine that was initially found strictly in Mexico.
These days it is largely found in the wild in tropical forests with Madagascar being the single largest producer of vanilla beans which is the main output from the vanilla plant. The vanilla bean comes from a pod produced on the vine of the vanilla plant which can grow up to 30 m in height. Technically the vanilla bean is actually a fruit not a bean.
And so we’re clear, a vanilla bean is actually long, dark and thin just like the picture above and not like a green bean, soy bean or other bean that you’re used to seeing.
What Type Of Vanilla Beans Are The Most Expensive?
Tahitian vanilla beans and Madagascar vanilla beans are widely regarded as being the two most expensive types available. Madagascar vanilla can cost up to $600/kg (2.2 lbs) on the global markets and is typically 3-5 times as expensive as Madagascar vanilla which is the next most expensive.
This makes vanilla the second most expensive spice in the world next to saffron. Prices fluctuate depending on several factors including demand and quality each season but also natural disasters and local conditions, largely in the largest producing nation, Madagascar.
Why is vanilla so expensive?
Not surprisingly the high price for vanilla is similar to the reasons that the world’s most expensive spice saffron is so dear:
- Vanilla production is very manual and labor-intensive.
- Only part of the plants – the vanilla bean – is used for trade by humans.
- After harvesting by hand, vanilla pods require water vapor treatment followed by airtight storage for up to one month where they slowly ferment.
- Beans are rotated between sun and shade to sweat and dry them to bring out more flavor. Total curing time takes months.
- Most production comes from only two countries, Madagascar and Indonesia which together provide about 2/3 of world supply.
And if that isn’t enough, the vanilla plant only blossoms once per year during a 12 – 16 hour window and must be hand-pollinated! So if a farmer misses that window, they lose the production until the next year.
So like saffron, the work involved to harvest and produce vanilla in commercial form is very involved. Plus Madagascar is a country that frequently suffers from natural disasters like droughts and cyclones as well as criminal activity against vanilla farmers which can seriously disrupt global supply. These factors all lead to the high price of vanilla.
Popular Vanilla Types Compared
The cost of vanilla beans can vary significantly depending on factors such as their origin, quality, and rarity. Here’s a table comparing some of the most expensive types of vanilla beans, along with their taste, culinary uses, sources, and other relevant information:
| Vanilla Bean Type | Relative Cost | Taste | Culinary Uses | Where to Buy | Growing Region(s) | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tahitian Vanilla | Expensive | Floral, fruity, cherry-like, and sweet. | Ideal for desserts, fruit-based dishes, and beverages. | Specialty spice shops, online retailers | Tahiti, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Madagascar | Known for its unique floral and fruity notes. |
| Madagascar Vanilla | Expensive | Rich, creamy, and sweet with a classic vanilla flavor. | Widely used in baking, desserts, ice cream, and beverages. | Available in most grocery stores, online retailers | Madagascar, Réunion Island | The most common and popular vanilla type. |
| Mexican Vanilla | Moderately Expensive | Creamy, spicy, and woody with a hint of cinnamon. | Used in both sweet and savory Mexican dishes, baking, and beverages. | Specialty spice shops, online retailers | Mexico | Prized for its unique spicy and complex flavor. |
| Indian Vanilla | Moderately Expensive | Creamy, sweet, and aromatic with subtle floral notes. | Used in Indian sweets, desserts, and beverages. | Specialty spice shops, online retailers | India | Gaining recognition for its quality and flavor. |
| Ugandan Vanilla | Moderately Expensive | Sweet, woody, and somewhat earthy with fruity undertones. | Suitable for a variety of desserts and baked goods. | Specialty spice shops, online retailers | Uganda | Gaining popularity as a quality vanilla source. |
Note: The cost of vanilla beans can fluctuate due to factors like weather conditions, crop yield, and market demand. Prices may vary from year to year and by supplier.
When selecting vanilla beans, consider factors such as their moisture content, pliability, and aroma, as these are indicators of freshness and quality. Additionally, the choice of vanilla bean type may depend on your specific culinary needs and personal preferences for flavor and aroma.
Vanilla Quality Varies For Several Reasons
Vanilla beans typically need 8- 9 months on the vine to produce the highest quality but given criminal activity and the theft of beans particularly in the biggest producing nation Madagascar, some farmers will pick their beans earlier around months 6 -7 to avoid having them stolen and to get them to market quicker. This has been a tendency to reduce the quality of vanilla beans from one season to the next, more so when natural disasters further disrupt supply.
While the highest quality and thus most expensive vanilla beans might be given a grade 1 rating, grade 2 and grade 3 beans which are cheaper and less flavorful also exist. And due to the factors mentioned above, it’s possible that one year beans classified as grade 1 may have been a grade 3 the year before, or vice versa.
As a result of the very high price of vanilla, growing problems, and ongoing quality fluctuations, some producers are replacing vanilla in their products with substitutes and are unlikely to go back once they’ve figured out how to replace vanilla with something else. So if you see a vanilla-flavored ice cream rather than simply vanilla or vanilla bean, now you know why.
Vanilla Uses Are Varied
Vanilla as a commercial product tends to exist in four main forms:
Whole pod bean (remember, it’s a long, stringy stick not a “bean.”): Moist vanilla beans can be used in a variety of ways including poaching fruit, making your own vanilla extract or vanilla sugar, flavored coffee and teas, bath salts and more.
Powder: Normally, this is simply pure vanilla bean along with some sugar or artificial vanilla flavoring added. You can typically use vanilla powder in place of vanilla extract in many cases ie. cooking. I’ve added vanilla powder for baking and cooking ie. chocolate chip cookies, pancakes, cakes and waffles. If you search online for “vanilla powder” you may also come across ads for vanilla protein powder since it’s a popular flavor for protein. And of course you’ve had vanilla ice cream, vanilla shakes and other products which are typically made made with either actual vanilla or a substitute. More on that below.
Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract is very expensive and typically has an alcohol base, hence the strong smell. While a 8 ounce (236 ml) bottle of pure vanilla extract might cost $20 – $29 and up, a same-sized bottle of imitation vanilla flavor for your home baking needs might cost only $4 – $5 and suit your requirements. Having said that, you really will notice the difference with the pure vanilla extract flavor!
Vanilla sugar: It can be used as a sweet topping on whipping cream and frostings and on various desserts, batter and dough, too.
Vanillin Is A Cost Effective Substitute
Since pure vanilla extract is so expensive, of course there has to be a substitute that you may come across to offer a similar taste at a lower cost, right? That ingredient would be vanillin. It is both a natural and synthetic product since it does come from the vanilla bean and provides a similar smell and taste to vanilla extract but at a lower price.
Vanillin is used in many commercial products (often to increase milk flavor) like ice cream, candy, pastries, sauces, baby food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and more. So you may come across vanillin listed on ingredient labels as you shop for various foods. And of course vanilla or substitutes are used in many other products like fragrances, candles, and things of that nature.
Health Benefits
While we’ve spoken about the uses for vanilla in cooking and baking, vanilla is believed to offer a number of health benefits. Vanilla may reduce cholesterol, help heart health, help with body healing due to its antioxidants, assist to fight anxiety, help with acne, and aid in weight loss.
Research has shown that while vanilla and vanillin may both offer health benefits, more research is required in each case.
Keys To Buying
For the average consumer, you won’t buy vanilla per se. You’re more likely to purchase products that incorporate vanilla in them or are already processed. With that in mind, here are some common vanilla products that you might purchase, what to look for, and how to choose the best possible product in each case.
Vanilla beans: Just in case you do buy vanilla beans, look for a bottle in dark glass. The darkened glass helps to keep light out. Vanilla beans should remain moist not dry so if you shake the bottle and hear them clinking, that means they’re dry. You should be able to wrap the length of the bean around your finger without it breaking.
Vanilla extract: Extract typically doesn’t have an expiry date. If sediment settles on the bottom, that’s normal. Shake the bottle to mix it up.
Other vanilla products like powder, paste or sugar may last for several years if they are kept in a dry, cool, dark place.
Vanillin: Remember that vanillin is often used in many packaged and commercial products in place of actual pure vanilla extract due to the lower price. While you probably won’t notice the difference in many products, some people – bakers and chefs in particular – will use pure vanilla extract when possible even with the extra expense.
Country of origin: While Madagascar and Indonesia are the two largest producers, China, Mexico and Papua New Guinea are also large producers of vanilla bean.
Final Thoughts On Vanilla
You can buy vanilla in various forms depending on your need and budget. Here’s a table discussing the characteristics and attributes of vanilla in its most popular form and why you might like each.:
| Criteria | Vanilla |
|---|---|
| Texture | Extract: Liquid, often viscous. |
| Bean: Soft and pliable with tiny seeds. | |
| Powder: Vanilla powder can be commercially bought for baking. | |
| Flavor Release | Strong, sweet, and aromatic. |
| Color | Extract: Dark brown. |
| Bean: Dark brown to black. | |
| Common Uses | – Baking (cakes, cookies, pastries). |
| – Desserts (ice cream, custard, pudding). | |
| – Beverages (coffee, hot chocolate). | |
| – Flavoring sauces and syrups. | |
| Baking | Vanilla extract is a staple in baking, adding a sweet and aromatic flavor to recipes. |
| Storage | Extract: Store in a cool, dark place. |
| Protect from heat and sunlight. | |
| Bean: Store in an airtight container. | |
| Keep in a cool, dry place away from light. | |
| Cost | Vanilla can be expensive, especially high-quality pure vanilla products. |
| Smell | Sweet, rich, and inviting aroma. |
| Vanilla beans have a deep and complex fragrance. | |
| Taste | Sweet, creamy, and slightly woody. |
| Culinary Advantages | – Enhances the overall flavor of baked goods and desserts. |
| – Complements a wide range of ingredients, from chocolate to fruit. | |
| – Versatile and used in both sweet and savory dishes. | |
| – Adds depth and warmth to various recipes. | |
| – Popular and beloved flavor in many cultures worldwide. |
Note: Vanilla is a highly versatile and beloved flavoring agent used in a wide range of culinary applications. Its rich, sweet aroma and taste make it an essential ingredient in baking and dessert-making, but it also adds complexity and depth to savory dishes, making it a truly versatile and cherished spice.