Nicaragua Planifolia Vanilla Beans - Whole Grade A Vanilla Pods for Vanilla Extract and Baking

Flavor Profile: Experience the rich, exotic depth of Nicaraguan Planifolia vanilla beans, cultivated in the mineral-rich volcanic soil of Central America. These premium-grade vanilla beans deliver a robust, full-spectrum flavor with elevated aromatic complexity that sets them apart from other vanilla origins.

Vanilla beans originated in Mexico and are sun cured for months using the traditional drying method. They are now found all over the world from places like Nicaragua to Indonesia to Papua New Guinea PNG farms. Gourmet Nicaraguan Vanilla Beans are the highest quality beans in the world and have an incredible flavor profile. 

Aroma

Nicaraguan vanilla boasts a deep, creamy fragrance layered with:

• Warm notes of caramelized sugar and molasses

• Hints of toasted oak, dark rum, and dried fig

• Subtle undertones of tobacco, leather, and earthy cacao

Flavor

The flavor profile is bold and lingering, with:

• A rich vanillin backbone that’s warm and assertive

• Chocolatey depth, balanced with sweet raisin and date-like notes

• A spicy finish with faint whispers of clove and anise

These beans stand out with their distinctive appearance — a lighter brown/deep tan color and velvety texture that give them an elegant look and an extended length rarely seen in typical vanilla varieties, especially from planifolia vines. The interior of the bean is where the magic is at and consists of millions of black, tiny vanilla seeds that are waiting to be scraped out.

Our beans are traditionally cured using the Bourbon curing method to develop the full, complex vanilla flavor made of over 200 organic compounds that artificial vanilla (Natural Vanilla Flavor WONF) cannot properly replicate. The entire process takes anywhere from 6 to 9 months after pollination and our farmers have turned vanilla processing and curing into a true art. 

These Nicaraguan Planifolia grade A vanilla beans are ~ 5 - 7 inches in length and are handpicked to ensure proper qualities. There are so many recipes that can be created with these magical beans! They are perfect for making homemade vanilla extract or KAHLUA, home cooking or baking, desserts such as vanilla bean ice cream, cake, cupcakes, or cookies and are a top choice of professional chefs for making desserts such as Creme Brulee. Our beans are also a top pick for home brewers or those who own a brewery! Homemade KAHLUA or Vanilla extract is also a very popular gift and can be made using a simple vodka infusion method! Bonus points for using the spent vanilla beans after the extract making process for creating vanilla sugar!

You can also follow these instructions to learn how to open, split, and scrape a whole vanilla bean!

Our beans are triple inspected throughout the beans journey from Nicaragua to the United States. First, they are inspected by our farmers who have hundreds of years of wisdom and experience growing these gourmet pods.  The second inspection is before bulk vacuum sealing for transport and to ensure no mold has developed. The final inspection is done at our warehouse moments before packing your shipment. We check the smell, quality, and appearance if any mold has developed a final time. Once all of these are checked, we vacuum seal our vanilla beans in our beautiful custom industrial vacuum pouch to a tight 28 HG vacuum.   

• Traditionally Cured Gourmet Nicaraguan Planifolia Vanilla Beans from 2024-2025 Crop
• Average Length: Approximately 5 - 7 Inches ( 15 cm – 20 cm) *Beans of this origin often display a broader range in length adding to their unique natural character.
  
• Color & Texture: Lighter Brown, Velvety Texture, Oily, Full of Black Vanilla Seeds

Storage: Vacuum packed/sealed bag preferred to ensure fresh beans otherwise wrapped in zip lock bag inside an air tight container such as a glass jar. Shelf Life of approximately 2 years if properly vacuum sealed.

If you have any more questions, be sure to check out our Vanilla FAQ for all the answers!