Premium Bourbon Madagascar Vanilla by 7 Beans: Review

I prefer using Vanilla Beans for the exotic dishes because no amount of Vanilla extract or essence can replace the original flavor that comes with the natural beans. Though the beans come at a price I just can't think of using vanillin for special Christmas cakes and Easter pudding. I was so elated to see the Premium Bourbon Vanilla Beans on sale in Amazon and I decide to give try without any second thoughts. These are high quality beans sourced directly from the world's best vanilla orchards in Madagascar. By far I haven't come across any other better beans than the Premium Bourbon variety.

Once I got these from the local store and was disappointed by the inferior quality of the dry sticks that hardly had any flavor. Then onwards I have decided not to get it from the local market. Surprisingly the ones that I got from Amazon were rich in flavor and the beans too were fresh. The aroma was oozing out even before I opened the wrapper and it came in proper shape. Though I was skeptical about the quality of the beans, they were exactly the way shown in the picture. They looked strong and not emaciated and fragile like the ones I got from the market. Even a slight twist of the beans peel left my hand scented.

I paid $7 for 7 Vanilla Beans and that translates to $1 per bean. This is definitely worth the price. The ones sold at Spice Island are superior to this in terms of rich flavor and special aroma. But they are sold at more than $7 per bean. One good thing about the Spice Island Bean is that you have to use only half the amount specified in the recipe because of the highly concentrated flavor. Even going by that, it is exorbitantly priced and definitely over rated. So in any case the Premium Bourbon Vanilla Beans sold in Amazon are the best for middle class family.

I use them in cakes, ice creams, smoothies, hot chocolate drink and pastries. After deseeding the pod, I leave the bean in sugar container. At the end of a month the flavor gets fully sink in to the sugar and you can use this as vanilla sugar. My son loves Vanilla shake and I prepare them at home by scrapping the bean. I like the fact that these are fleshy and soft.