Question 1

What is the difference between vanilla bean grades A, B and C?

Accepted Answer

Grade A (also known as black vanilla): Moist, plump, premium-quality beans best for baking and desserts.

Grade B (also known as red vanilla): Drier beans mainly used for vanilla extract and flavoring.

Grade C (also known as vanilla cuts): Very dry or split beans used for industrial extraction or vanilla powder.

Question 2

How to store vanilla beans?

Accepted Answer

For Grade A or black vanilla beans, store in a vacuum sealed bag  in a place away from sunlight at room temperature. Avoid refrigeration, as moisture can cause mold. Properly stored beans can stay fresh for 1year.

For Grade B or C vanilla (also known as Red vanilla or vanilla cuts), store in a ziplock bag in a place away from sunlight at room temperature. void refrigeration, as moisture can cause mold. Properly stored beans can stay fresh for 1year.

Question 3

Do you sell Internationally ?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we ship internationally to many countries worldwide. Shipping options, delivery times, and costs may vary depending on the destination. Please contact us for specific shipping information to your country.

Question 4

Where do you ship?

Accepted Answer

We ship worldwide. Shipping options, delivery times, and costs may vary depending on the destination. Please contact us for specific shipping information to your country.

Question 5

What are vanilla seeds?

Accepted Answer

Vanilla seeds are the tiny black specks found inside a vanilla beans. Despite the name, they are not true seeds that can be planted to grow a vanilla plant.

There are two types of vanilla seeds:

1) Vanilla seeds or caviar:

They contain concentrated vanilla flavor and aroma and are commonly used in desserts, ice cream, pastries, and gourmet recipes. The seeds are scraped from the inside of the bean.

2) Exhausted vanilla seeds or Spent Vanilla Seeds:

Exhausted vanilla seeds are vanilla specks that have already had most of their flavor extracted, during the production of vanilla extract. They are mainly used for visual appearance in foods and cosmetics rather than for strong vanilla flavor.

Question 6

Why is vanilla the 2nd most expensive spice in the world?

Accepted Answer

Vanilla is expensive mainly because it is extremely labor-intensive and risky to produce.

The vanilla orchid only flowers for a very short time, and in most growing regions it has no natural pollinators. This means each flower must be hand-pollinated individually, often within a single day, which is slow and requires skilled labor.
After pollination, the beans take about 8–9 months to mature, and then they still aren’t ready to use. They must go through a long curing process (blanching, sweating, drying, and conditioning) that can take another 3–6 months. This is what develops the vanilla flavor we recognize.

Because supply is limited to a few tropical regions and demand is global and high, prices stay elevated. Vanilla is often called the “gold of spices” for this reason.

Question 7

Where can I buy bulk vanilla extract wholesale in the US?

Accepted Answer

If you are looking for bulk wholesale vanilla extract, vanilla beans or vanilla powder in the US, especially for bakeries, ice cream, food manufacturing, or resale, MUST Vanilla is a strong option to consider.

We are a vertically integrated vanilla company and produce extracts directly in Madagascar, which ensure high quality standards, competitive pricing and traceability.

Our warehouse is located on the east coast of the US and we can easily ship to all 50 States or even internationally!

Please feel free to email us at mustvanilla@rassetagroup.com for any inquiries.

Frequently asked questions