Vanilla beans are one of those ingredients that transform any dish into decadent deliciousness.
It’s the fruit of an orchid plant, which grows in the form of a dark brown bean pod that is long and skinny. The fruit is not permitted to fully-ripen since this will cause the beans to split and lose its aroma & flavour.
Most often, vanilla beans are processed into vanilla extract, a common ingredient in baked goods and other food recipes.
The tiny seeds add texture and the bean has an intense flavour, plus they can add to the beauty of a light-coloured dessert.
