Once you scrape out the seeds, don't throw away that used vanilla bean pod — reuse it instead. The pod itself is still full of flavor, though you should repurpose it ASAP for maximum potency.

But the extract is made by steeping vanilla beans in alcohol. Vanilla beans are the pods of a flowering plant. And then there's vanilla paste; a thick paste made from vanilla extract and vanilla ...

A staple ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes, vanilla beans are prized in the culinary world for their unique versatility and distinctive flavor. Used as a spice in baking, cooking, and even ...