how to store vanilla beans

We are often asked; "What is the best way to store vanilla beans and how long will they last?" Unlike the dried up and brittle vanilla beans that you might receive from your local grocery store, our vanilla is oily, pliable and very fresh. Due to our high volume of inventory turnover, our vanilla does not remain on shelves for long periods of time and we take extra steps to preserve the moisture and quality. By following our guidelines below, we can assure you that your vanilla will remain in excellent condition for a very long time:

Unpacking

Our vanilla beans are shipped in either vacuum sealed or glass vial packages. If your vanilla arrives in vacuum sealed packaging, we suggest that you do not open the package until usage. We do recommend that you remove the beans from the package after approximately 6 months. Keep in mind that you might see a brown liquid throughout the vacuum sealed packaging. Do not be concerned for this liquid is simply oil squeezed from the vanilla beans during the vacuum sealing process. If your vanilla arrives in a glass vial, we recommend that you remove the beans within 3-4 months.

Storage

Items Needed:

  • 1 Airtight Glass Jar, Glass Vial or Tupperware Container
  • 1 Sheet Wax Paper or Plastic Wrap

Wrap your vanilla beans in either wax paper or plastic wrap and store in an airtight glass or Tupperware container. Be sure to squeeze out as much air as possible from the container to prevent the vanilla beans from drying out. We sell 8" long glass vials, perfect for storing vanilla beans. The plastic stopper ensures an airtight seal for preserving up to 5-7 vanilla beans (depending on vanilla variety) for as long as 8-12 months. If you are looking for something to store a large quantity of vanilla beans, we have the perfect solution for you! Our hand-blown straight standing vanilla bean storage jars can hold up to 50 vanilla beans or more. The removable glass lid creates an air tight seal that will keep your vanilla beans fresh for over a year.

Storage Location

You should never store your vanilla beans in the refrigerator. Refrigeration will dry out your beans and excess moisture can promote a particular type of mold specific to vanilla. We recommend storing your airtight container in a cool, dark place such as a pantry or basement.

Airing

Vanilla beans should be aired regularly. Simply remove the beans from the container every few weeks to circulate the air for approximately 10-15 minutes.

Life Span

Vanilla beans that have been stored correctly in ideal conditions can last upwards to two years. We recommend buying quantities that you intend on using within 6-8 months.

Dry or Moldy Vanilla Beans

If your vanilla beans have dried out, you can re-hydrate them in either milk or warm water for several hours. If your vanilla beans appear to contain "frost", do not mistake this as mold. Frosty Vanillin crystals can develop on vanilla beans as the vanillin inside the bean migrates to the surface while the beans dry. These crystals appear shiny and are edible. If you do suspect actual mold, please discard the vanilla beans.

vanilla bean storage jar