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Organic Vanilla Beans

Organic Vanilla Beans

Regular price $38.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $38.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Size
  • Organically Grown
  • Hand Harvested
  • No Synthetic Chemicals
  • Cured in Small Batches

Gathering Place Vanilla Beans come from the Vanilla planifolia orchid - the only orchid in the world that produces an edible fruit. They are grown organically by a farmer’s cooperative in India that puts care for the Earth front and centre. Our vanilla beans are grown, hand harvested, and cured in small batches and immediately shipped to us. 

Did you know that vanilla beans are the second most expensive spice in the world? It's due to the labour-intensive pollination and harvesting process. Only one vanilla bean can grow from each flower and the vanilla flowers last no more than a day, so the vines must be continually monitored and pollinated. 

Gathering Place Vanilla Beans are fresh, fragrant, and rich in flavour. See the write-up below for ways to use your beans. There may be white crystals on the inside or outside of your bean. This is just crystallized vanillin, the compound that gives vanilla beans their flavour.

Organic Vanilla Beans
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Welcome to Gathering Place Trading,

Where We Direct Source the Best Organic Vanilla Beans

About Our Southern India Partners

We support 1400 farmers under a cooperative umbrella covering close to 10,000 acres of certified organic land in Karnataka State. Our true cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cayenne, smoked chili flakes, vanilla beans, and stevia come from these certified organic farms, some of which are FairTrade certified.

These Indian farmers plant food forests, also called inter-cropping, where multiple crops grow harmoniously and life thrives, rather than mono-cropping, which negatively impacts the soil and the ecosystem. This system ensures the farmer gets more income from the same piece of land. The farmers are supported every step of the way by the cooperative, learning about seed procurement, building soil, harvesting, storage, and food safety practices.

Our community sourcing partners have certified organic state-of-the-art processing facilities, international food safety certification, allergen-free declarations, and kosher certification. This results in the highest quality products delivered fresh to Gathering Place several times a year.

Ways to Use Your Vanilla Beans

To use a vanilla bean, cut it in half lengthwise with a sharp knife, and then scrape out the seeds inside. You can use these in your favourite recipes. If you're not using the empty pod, place it in a jar of granulated sugar for a few weeks to make your own vanilla sugar, or lay the pods over halved pieces of fruit baked in the oven for a scrumptious dessert. You can also use the pods to make your own vanilla extract. Just chop them up, place in a mason jar and cover with vodka or brandy. Let it sit for 6 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain and use in your favourite baking.

Planet Over Profit

1% of every sale of Organic Vanilla Beans goes to hand-selected grassroots projects in our farmer communites around the world

While some brands only "give back" from their profits (i.e. money earned after expenses and owners' incomes), we at Gathering Place donate one percent of all our sales to important, grassroots initiatives that directly improve the lives of the people who farm these spices, herbs, and tea.

Learn more about our farm partners and donation commitments on our about page.

Why Buy From Gathering Place Trading?

Our Core Principles

Direct Sourcing

We gather authentic and trustworthy ingredients from hand-selected family farms and community sourcing partners. No one in the middle, just farmers to families.

Environmental Care

We are proudly Green Business Certified, always purchase Canadian-grown products when available, offer our employees CO2 credits for car pooling or biking, and use 100% recyclable packaging. 

Organic and Non-GMO

We only partner with certified organic and non-GMO farms and suppliers who meet global food safety standards.

Integrity and Fairness

We love leading with our heart and hope to inspire change by humanizing the global food industry.

Giving Back

We take great joy in re-investing 1% of our total sales back into grassroots projects in the communities where our products are grown. 

Explore All You Can Do with Gathering Place Trading

Recipes with Organic Vanilla Beans

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