Vanilla is an intensely flavoured spice, with floral, cocoa and hazelnut aromas. The big, glossy-black, oily pods are crammed with moist seeds, often scraped out and used to flavour custards, creams, ice creams or even fruit compotes.

The full or empty pod can also be added whole to dishes to slowly infuse its exotic flavours.

These vanilla pods are between 12-15cm long, providing good value on a beautiful and high-quality ingredient, particularly when bought in this bumper pack of ten.

Store in a cool and dry place, above 8*C to avoid frosting.

Choosing Real Vanilla

Unlike synthetic vanilla, real vanilla is a complex ingredient with over 250 compounds, offering a rich and layered flavour.

However, it’s also one of the world’s most expensive spices, and its journey from plant to product is fraught with challenges. Vanilla requires careful hand-pollination and takes up to five years to mature, with crops vulnerable to extreme weather and theft.

Read more about real vanilla here