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The Different Types of Vanilla Beans, Explained

Vanilla may be a baking essential, but did you know it is worth more by weight than silver? Famous in desserts all over the world, vanilla is the second most expensive spice after saffron. 

The vanilla bean grows on an orchid plant called Vanilla Planifolia. This unique orchid is notoriously tricky to cultivate. For this reason, the price of vanilla beans is exceptionally high. 

Originating in Mexico, the vanilla orchid now grows in multiple tropical areas across the globe. Indonesia and Madagascar are the largest producers of vanilla. But how can you tell the difference between types of vanilla beans?

As with coffee beans, the flavor of vanilla beans depends on the location the beans were grown. 

Different types of vanilla beans come from the main vanilla-producing countries. Here are some of the most popular types: 

1. The Bourbon Vanilla Bean 

Madagascar dominates the global market for vanilla beans.

Originally from L’Ile Bourbon (now La Reunion) near Madagascar, the Bourbon bean produces exceptional quality vanilla with a clear and creamy flavor.   

Madagascar vanilla beans are renowned for being top quality, and the island is the biggest producer of bourbon beans in the world. 

2. Mexican Vanilla Bean 

This bean is thought to have a more spicy flavor than its Madagascan counterpart. From the same plant as the Madagascan bean, the beans themselves are slightly thicker than the Bourbon bean.

3. Tahitian Vanilla Bean 

Beans from Tahiti, the south pacific island, are the most expensive in the world! They come from the Vanilla Planifolia’s cousin plant, Genus Tahitiensis.

Tahitian vanilla beans have a delicate flavor and are most commonly used for fragrances. 

4. Ugandan Vanilla Bean

Ugandan beans are another of the best types of vanilla bean. They contain high levels of vanillin, which gives them a creamy flavor. 

Due to their rich, creamy flavor, they are great to use in chocolatey desserts or to make chocolate truffles. 

5. Indonesian Vanilla Bean 

The curing process used in Indonesian beans gives them a smokey, woody taste.

During the drying process, the beans are exposed to a lot of sun. This makes Indonesian beans slightly less malleable than Madagascan beans. 

Indonesian beans are used to make some of the best vanilla bean products, such as vanilla extract and ice creams.

Vanilla Bean Industry

Growing vanilla is a challenging and arduous process. Pollination of the plants is difficult, and vanilla beans are a prime target for theft. Farmers often pick their beans too early because they are scared of robbery. This leads to a lower quality of beans. 

Many of the vanilla-producing countries are also locations severely affected by extreme climate change. This makes the production quantities even more unpredictable. 

The high price of vanilla pods or pure vanilla extract is a result of the above factors. The increased demand and low supply of vanilla also drive prices up.  

Choose Your Different Types of Vanilla Beans

Now you have some information about the types of vanilla beans and how different flavors come from the cultivation, curing, and drying of the beans.

You know the different flavor profiles for each type of bean, so you can choose the ones that best suit your recipe.

Always buy your beans from a reputable supplier that can trace the supply chain. When you buy vanilla beans, you want to support small farmers who are experts at growing high-quality beans. 

To learn more about other industries, check some of our other articles.