The best vanilla bean
Vanilla bean quality criteria
How do you define the best vanilla pod? It’s a question of determining the quality criteria that make a pod excellent. A high-quality vanilla bean must meet several criteria to guarantee a rich, complex aroma. Size, color, texture and aroma are all essential elements to consider. A good quality vanilla bean is generally long, soft and moist, without being too dry or brittle. Its color should be dark and brilliant, a sign that it has been properly matured and dried.
At NOROHY, each organic Bourbon vanilla pod from Madagascar is carefully selected and inspected to ensure it meets the highest quality standards. Our pods are even massaged one by one to better distribute the vanillin in each fruit and thus improve its preservation. They undergo numerous preparation and refining stages to guarantee their quality. For more details, we suggest you read this article, which details the steps involved in preparing Planifolia vanilla. The beans are available in different sizes: 125g, 250g and 2.5kg bundles for professionals, and tubes of 3 beans for individuals. This allows users to choose the quantity that suits them best.
Which is the best vanilla bean among the existing species?
Of the various vanilla species, three are destined for consumption. Vanilla x Tahitensis and vanilla Planifolia are the two main ones.
Vanilla Planifolia remains the most widespread vanilla species. It is the original variety, born in Mexico. It is now also grown in the Indian Ocean islands under the name Vanille Bourbon.
Madagascar Bourbon vanilla
Bourbon vanilla is one of the most prestigious vanillas. It takes its name from Reunion Island, where this variety of vanilla was acclimatized. However, it is in Madagascar that Bourbon vanilla is most widely cultivated today. The island’s climatic conditions, combined with traditional cultivation and harvesting methods, produce exceptional vanilla beans.
Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar is distinguished by its powerful, woody aroma. The aromatic richness of the beans is explained by nearly 150 different aromatic molecules. The main one is linked to the vanillin content of the beans. It is this complexity that makes Madagascar Bourbon vanilla a benchmark in gastronomy.
NOROHY’s organic Bourbon vanilla beans are hand-harvested, carefully prepared and finally refined to develop deep, balanced aromas. This guarantees an incomparable fragrance, ideal for all your culinary creations.
When ripe, Planifolia vanilla beans (especially Bourbon) split naturally. This is known as a split vanilla pod. Very mature, it generally has a high vanillin content. This is a high-quality vanilla bean, particularly sought-after by connoisseurs.
Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar can be considered the best vanilla bean in the world, if its reputation is anything to go by. In fact, this vanilla accounts for over 85% of the world’s production. So it’s hard to ignore it in your selection. However, purists will be more interested in the original Planifolia vanilla from Mexico.
Mexican vanilla
As we have already mentioned, the first vanilla plants are thought to have flourished in Mexico. Traces of them can be found in pottery, as well as in Aztec and Mayan writings on the subject (Codex, illustrations on ceramics…).
So, for some, the best Bourbon vanilla beans come from Mexico. It is true that its profile is slightly different from that of Madagascar. Since it’s the same variety, the main note is vanillin. However, Mexican vanilla offers a more cocoa-like prune note specific to its terroir. After all, isn’t this also the land of cocoa?
Order your NOROHY Mexican Planifolia vanilla beans in 125g or 250g to flavour your recipes!
Finally, adventurers judge only by the Tahitian vanilla known as x Tahitensis, which is very different from Planifolia.
Vanilla x Tahitensis
Vanilla x Tahitensis is said to be a hybridization between vanilla planifolia and vanilla odorata. Its appearance is therefore quite different from that of Madagascar vanilla. Indeed, Polynesian pods are fleshier. However, the main molecule is not vanillin, but anisic alcohol. As a result, its fragrance is radically different. There are aromas of white flowers, almond, tonka bean and, above all, aniseed!
NOROHY offers this vanilla species in 2 origins. Our Tahitensis vanilla beans come from French Polynesia, and more specifically from the Leeward Islands. VANIFUSION vanilla paste, on the other hand, is made from Papua New Guinea vanilla beans.
Between Planifolia and Tahitensis vanilla, it’s up to you to choose the best vanilla bean and the origin of your choice. However, in addition to the species and origin of the vanilla, there are other criteria that determine the quality of a vanilla bean. These include aroma, vanillin content and moisture content, as well as intended use, shape and cultivation method.
The benefits of organic vanilla beans
There are many advantages to choosing organic vanilla beans. First of all, organic cultivation guarantees pesticide- and chemical-free vanilla, which is good for both health and the environment. By opting for organic Bourbon vanilla beans, you are choosing a product that is more respectful of the environment and biodiversity.
What’s more, organic vanilla is grown using sustainable methods that promote good farming practices and respect for producers. NOROHY makes it a point of honor to offer you organic Bourbon vanilla beans from Madagascar. So you can benefit from quality beans while supporting responsible agriculture.
How to choose the best vanilla bean for your recipes?
The choice of vanilla bean depends on several other factors, not least the type of application envisaged.
If you prefer whole beans to extract the seeds and infuse the pods, raw vanilla is preferable. NOROHY Bourbon vanilla beans are available in different sizes (125g, 250g or 2.5 kg), depending on your needs.
For preparations requiring no added moisture, Bourbon vanilla bean powder is an ideal option. This is the case for macaroons, brioches, shortbread and other dry doughs. NOROHY offers powdered organic Bourbon vanilla beans, available in 10g or 100g for individual consumers. Larger formats of 100g, 500g and even 15kg are available for professionals.
Finally, to save time in the laboratory, opt for vanilla-derived products: vanilla extract, vanilla paste or pearl, Tadoka… Easy to incorporate into your preparations, these ingredients instantly flavour your recipes by staying as close as possible to the raw material! NOROHY ingredients are Clean Label. This means the shortest possible list of ingredients, with no additives, preservatives, texturizers or synthetic flavors.
Why choose NOROHY to buy your vanilla beans?
NOROHY is a brand renowned for the quality of its products based on organic Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar. In addition to vanilla beans, the brand also offers a wide range ofextracts, pastes and powders. NOROHY enables every user to find the product that suits them best. For example, organic Bourbon vanilla extract is available in 50ml and 225ml for consumers, and in 225ml and 750ml for professionals.
If you’re looking for an even more concentrated product, NOROHY’s VAKANA vanilla bead is the ideal solution. Available in 100g and 500g formats, this pearl is ideal for those who want to save time while obtaining a powerful vanilla flavor. NOROHY requires 1.4kg of vanilla to produce 500g of vanilla bead.
NOROHY pays particular attention to the traceability and origin of its products. By choosing NOROHY vanilla beans, you can be sure of using organic Bourbon vanilla beans grown with respect for the environment, and harvested with care. What’s more, NOROHY vanilla beans come in a range of formats suitable for both private and professional use, giving you the flexibility of choice.