Practical guidance for choosing the right beans, understanding moisture content, and getting the most from each pod in your kitchen.
Practical guidance for choosing the right beans, understanding moisture content, and getting the most from each pod in your kitchen.
Questions about moisture content, grading, or a custom aging program? Our team in Sibu answers every inquiry within one business day, and most orders are confirmed within a few hours.
Practical answers for pastry chefs, home bakers, and specialty food brands who want to understand how our beans are cured, what to expect from each grade, and how to order with confidence. If your question is not covered here, reach out through the contact page and we will respond within two working days.
Bourbon vanilla refers to beans grown in Madagascar, the Comoros, and Reunion, named after the old Bourbon Island. These beans carry a rich, creamy profile with notes of cherry, prune, and sweet spice. Other varieties, such as Tahitian or Mexican, have a more floral or smoky character. For most baking and pastry work, bourbon beans offer the deepest, most balanced flavor.
From green bean to finished pod, the process takes roughly six to nine months. The beans are blanched, sweated on wool blankets, then slowly dried and rested in small wooden crates. During this rest, enzymes develop the complex aromatic compounds that give each batch its signature notes. We monitor moisture content throughout so the pods stay supple without becoming brittle.
For extract making, a moisture content around 25 to 30 percent works well because the beans infuse readily into alcohol. For direct use in custards, sauces, or baked goods, slightly drier beans around 20 to 25 percent are easier to split and scrape. Every batch we ship includes the measured moisture content on the label so you know exactly what you are working with.
Keep beans in an airtight container away from direct light and heat. A cool pantry or cupboard is ideal. Do not refrigerate, as the moisture from the fridge can cause mold. Properly stored, cured beans will keep their aroma for up to a year. If you notice the beans becoming dry, a brief steam treatment can restore some suppleness before use.
Yes. We work with pastry chefs and specialty food brands to design custom curing and aging schedules tailored to their flavor goals. You specify the desired profile, whether you want brighter, fruitier notes or deeper, spicier ones, and we adjust the resting time and crate conditions accordingly. Commissioned batches are tracked individually and shipped with full documentation.
Each sample pack contains three to five beans from different batches, along with tasting notes and moisture content specifications. This lets you compare profiles side by side before committing to a larger order. You can request a sample pack through the contact page, and we will confirm availability and shipping details for your region.