Vanilla is a precious ingredient in pastry-making and cooking. It’s important to preserve it as well as possible. Discover with NOROHY how to preserve vanilla and enjoy its intense aromas for a long time to come. Whether you’re a Michelin-starred chef or a passionate amateur, take note of our tips for preserving vanilla.

The importance of preserving vanilla

Vanilla is an exceptional spice that requires special care to preserve its aromas. Hand-pollinated, the flower slowly transforms into a pod. It takes two months for the pod to reach full size. It takes a further 6 months to reach maturity. Finally, six to seven months of maturing are needed to prepare the vanilla for tasting. That’s why preserve the qualities of such a precious delicacy is so important. Storing vanilla properly ensures that you can enjoy its delights for a long time to come. Here, then, are the main enemies of vanilla that you need to counter:

  • Light: Ultraviolet rays can alter vanilla’s aroma and flavor, not to mention its color! That’s why it’s essential to store it in a dark place, away from direct sunlight.
  • Humidity: Although vanillin, vanilla’s main aromatic component, has antifungal properties, excessive humidity can lead to mold formation. It’s imperative to protect your beans and other vanilla-derived products, such as vanilla bean powder, from moisture.
  • Heat: This can dry out vanilla beans. This causes them to become brittle, losing their shiny oil and intense black color, and making them less aromatic. Avoid exposing them to high temperatures (stay away from the oven in the kitchen and in the lab 😉).
  • Air: Oxidation can alter the quality of vanilla. Opt for an airtight container for optimum preservation.

Vanilla preservation methods

Vacuum storage

Vacuum storage is an effective way of preserving vanilla. The air is removed from the container, reducing oxidation and preserving the vanilla’s aroma. You can use vacuum bags or boxes specially designed for this method.

The hermetic box

An airtight tin made of odorless plastic or glass is another solution for preserving vanilla. Make sure, however, that the lid fits perfectly and creates a barrier against harmful elements.

Deep-freezing

Freezing vanilla beans is a possible preservation practice, but it’s energy-intensive and doesn’t prolong the beans much more than vacuum-packing at room temperature.

Conservation de la vanille sous vide d'air
Tube vere Norohy pour conserver la Vanille

Hermetically sealed glass tube or jar for vanilla storage

A hermetically sealed glass tube is also a good option for storing vanilla. It protects vanilla beans from humidity and air. Just be sure to seal it hermetically with a tightly screwed-on metal stopper. Finally, avoid cork stoppers, which remain porous.

Some choose to add a few drops of alcohol to limit the desiccation of the beans. However, no alcohol is totally neutral, and the aromas of the alcohol also transfer to your vanilla beans. It is possible, however, to immerse your beans completely in alcohol to perfume it and then use it in your preparations!

Deep-freezing or freezing

You can also freeze or, better still, deep-freeze your vanilla. This is particularly recommended for vanilla bean paste. This increases shelf life and makes dosing easier. In fact, even frozen vanilla bean paste is easy to scoop out with a spoon.

How to store vanilla properly: NOROHY recommendations

To preserve vanilla in optimal conditions, follow these recommendations:

  • Store vanilla in a dry place at room temperature, away from heat sources.
  • Keep vanilla beans away from UV light by placing them in an opaque container.
  • Avoid humidity by using vacuum bags or by hermetically sealing the container.
  • Finally, use an airtight glass tube or small airtight tin to prevent air from coming into contact with the vanilla.
Boîte métal Norohy de conservation de la Vanille

For vanilla lovers

If you’re a true fan of vanilla, you’ll appreciate the variety of products available to enhance your culinary creations. NOROHY offers you an exceptional selection of high-quality vanilla beans. In addition to pods of different origins for chefs and gourmets, discover our innovative products such as vanilla powder and vanilla extract for professionals and individuals to enrich your preparations. Tadoka, the right amount of vanilla, is as easy to store as it is to dose.

Vanilla is a natural treasure, and storing it correctly is essential to preserve its full splendor. Whether you’re a renowned chef or a budding pastry chef, by following our storage tips, you can be sure you’ll always have quality vanilla to enhance your culinary creations.

To learn more about the world of vanilla and its many uses in cooking, we invite you to read our next article. And don’t forget to order exceptional NOROHY vanilla on valrhona-selection.fr for professionals and valrhona-collection.com for private customers. Together, let’s be bold and committed to high-quality vanilla.