Fresh Peruvian Vanilla Pod

A single extra-large, Grade A vanilla pod (Vanilla planifolia) from Peru — fresh, plump, oily and packed with seeds. This is what vanilla is supposed to look and feel like before the supermarket gets hold of it: a glossy, pliable pod with a high moisture content and an aroma that fills the room the moment you open the packaging. The difference between a fresh Grade A pod and the brittle, semi-dried pods sold on most retail shelves is not subtle — it is a different ingredient entirely.

Peruvian vanilla sits in a distinctive position between the classic creamy richness of Madagascan Bourbon vanilla and the more floral, fruity character of Tahitian vanilla. The flavour profile carries sweet, creamy warmth with spicy undertones and a complexity that comes from traditional curing — a process that takes months of careful drying and conditioning after harvest to develop the full range of aromatic compounds. A single pod of this size will comfortably flavour 500ml of custard, ice cream base or crème anglaise. Split lengthways and scrape the seeds directly into your preparation, then drop the spent pod into the liquid to infuse further. Nothing is wasted — used pods can be dried and ground into vanilla sugar, or steeped in spirits to make extract.

Origin: Peru

Ingredients: Vanilla pod (Vanilla planifolia), Grade A

Storage: Store in an airtight container at cool room temperature, away from direct light. Do not refrigerate. Well-stored pods will keep for several months.