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Ecuadorian Vanilla — Whole Natural Vanilla Pods
$3.00
Ecuadorian Essence offers whole, natural vanilla pods grown in Ecuador — mostly on farms in Santo Domingo, between the Andes and the coast — in greenhouses that allow better control of growing conditions, delivering a warm, sweet aroma for desserts, drinks and gourmet cooking.
Description
Vanilla From Ecuador
Ecuadorian Essence sources its vanilla from Ecuador, mostly from farms in Santo Domingo, bringing a vanilla grown on the equator to kitchens in the United States.
Vanilla is the fruit of a tropical orchid and needs heat, humidity and steady light to develop its aroma. Ecuador sits on the equator, where days last close to twelve hours all year, and Santo Domingo lies on the western slopes where the Andes descend toward the Pacific coast.
The vanilla is brought to the Washington DC area by Ecuadorian Essence, a family from Ecuador, and is not sold in national grocery chains.
Grown in Greenhouses
Ecuadorian Essence offers vanilla grown in greenhouses rather than in the open, which gives growers better control over the conditions in which the vines and flowers develop.
Like all cultivated vanilla outside its native range, each vanilla flower is pollinated by hand, and each flower opens for only a short time. This makes vanilla one of the most labor-intensive crops in the world, which is why real vanilla pods are so valued.
100% Natural Vanilla, Not Flavoring
Ecuadorian Essence sells whole natural vanilla pods, which contain hundreds of aromatic compounds, delivering a deeper and more complex flavor than synthetic vanillin.
Most vanilla flavor in packaged foods comes from synthetic vanillin, a single compound. With a whole pod, you use both the tiny seeds and the pod itself, so nothing goes to waste.
How to Use Whole Vanilla Pods
Ecuadorian Essence vanilla pods can be split, scraped and infused, adding natural vanilla to any recipe.
Split and Scrape
Lay the pod flat, split it lengthwise with the tip of a sharp knife and scrape out the seeds with the back of the blade. Add the seeds to custards, ice cream, cakes, whipped cream, pancakes or homemade chocolate.
Infuse
Warm the scraped pod in milk, cream or syrup to infuse its aroma into sauces, hot chocolate, coffee or cocktails. You can rinse, dry and reuse the pod for a second infusion.
Make Vanilla Sugar or Extract
Bury a used pod in a jar of sugar for a week to make vanilla sugar, or place split pods in vodka or rum for a few weeks to make homemade extract.
How to Store Vanilla Pods
Ecuadorian Essence recommends storing vanilla pods in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, away from heat and out of the refrigerator, so they keep their aroma.
Cold and humidity can affect the pods. Stored properly, they keep their aroma for months.
Pairing Vanilla With Ecuadorian Chocolate
Ecuadorian Essence suggests combining its vanilla with its Farm to Bar chocolate, because vanilla and cacao are natural partners.
Add a little scraped vanilla to a hot chocolate made with Farm to Bar bars for a warm, aromatic drink.
For Restaurants, Bakeries & Pastry Chefs
Ecuadorian Essence supplies Ecuadorian vanilla pods at wholesale pricing to restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and pastry chefs in the DMV, offering natural vanilla with traceable origin.
Complete the “Become a Distributor” form or write to sales@ecuadorianessence.com for volume orders. Ecuadorian Essence ships within the United States, with delivery in 5–7 business days, and sells in person at curated markets and fairs across Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland.
Ecuadorian Essence products are foods and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always check the product label for complete ingredient and allergen information.
Additional information
| Weight | 5 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5 × 5 × 5 in |
| Amount: | Unit, Box |
FAQs
Where does Ecuadorian vanilla come from?
Ecuadorian Essence sources its vanilla from Ecuador, mostly from farms in Santo Domingo, between the Andes and the Pacific coast, where warm temperatures, humidity and equatorial light allow the vanilla orchid to develop its aroma. The vanilla is grown in greenhouses for better control of growing conditions. Ecuador sits on the equator, where days last close to twelve hours all year. The vanilla is sold in the United States by Ecuadorian Essence, a family from Ecuador.
How is this vanilla grown?
The vanilla offered by Ecuadorian Essence is grown in greenhouses rather than in the open, which gives growers better control over the conditions in which the vines and flowers develop. As with all cultivated vanilla outside its native range, each flower is pollinated by hand. Each vanilla flower opens for only a short time, which makes vanilla one of the most labor-intensive crops in the world and explains why real vanilla pods are so valued.
How do you use whole vanilla pods?
To use an Ecuadorian Essence vanilla pod, split it lengthwise, scrape out the seeds and add them to desserts, drinks or sauces; then infuse the empty pod in warm milk, cream or syrup to extract the rest of its aroma. A used pod can also flavor a jar of sugar or become homemade extract in vodka or rum.
How should I store vanilla pods?
Ecuadorian Essence recommends storing vanilla pods in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, away from heat and out of the refrigerator, so they keep their aroma for months. Cold and humidity can affect the pods. To use a pod, split it lengthwise, scrape out the seeds and infuse the empty pod in warm milk, cream or syrup.
What is the difference between vanilla pods and vanilla flavoring?
A whole vanilla pod from Ecuadorian Essence contains the seeds and hundreds of natural aromatic compounds, while most commercial vanilla flavor relies on synthetic vanillin, a single compound. Whole pods deliver a deeper, more complex vanilla flavor, and both the seeds and the pod can be used. With a whole pod, nothing goes to waste: the seeds flavor desserts and drinks, and the empty pod can be infused or used to make vanilla sugar.
Can restaurants and bakeries buy Ecuadorian vanilla in volume?
Ecuadorian Essence supplies Ecuadorian vanilla pods at wholesale pricing to restaurants, bakeries and pastry chefs in the DMV, providing natural vanilla with traceable Ecuadorian origin. Businesses can request volume pricing through the “Become a Distributor” form or at sales@ecuadorianessence.com. Ecuadorian Essence ships within the United States, with delivery in 5–7 business days.
