How to Use a Vanilla Bean
- 1 vanilla bean (Look for quality vanilla beans that are aromatic and shiny.)
KEY: pinch (⅛ tsp) | tsp = teaspoon (5ml) | Tbsp = Tablespoon (15ml)
- Slit: On a cutting board, hold the stem-end of the
vanilla bean with your finger. From there make a lengthwise slit with a sharp knife along the entire length of the vanilla bean . - Split & Scrape: Still holding the stem-end down, flatten the bean open as you scrape out the paste of seeds with the knife, starting from the stem all the way to the very bottom.
- Use the vanilla seeds immediately.
- For the leftover vanilla pods: You can submerge them either in a jar of sugar to store and infuse your sugar with a vanilla scent, or in jar of alcohol (vodka or Bourbon) for your own
vanilla extract . Or you can roughly chop them and then grind very fine in a coffee or spice grinder, and use half a teaspoon as a substitute for a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract .
Notes
- If you only need to use half of a vanilla bean, cut the bean crosswise into two halves first, so that you can store the unneeded half intact.
- Variation: You may find it easier to cut the bean pod (or segment) completely in half lengthwise, and then scraping out the seeds of each side separately.
Tools
Nutrition Information
Calories: 12kcal (1%) | Carbohydrates: 1g | Fat: 1g (2%)
Please keep in mind that nutritional info is an estimate and varies according to ingredients used.