Vanilla Shortage?

[Aint2nuts]

I recieved it from my food storage group, and thought I would share it...

 

 

Vanilla Prices to Soar? Stock up!

FYI

 

Elk Ridge Self-Reliant Sisters

Will Vanilla Prices Soar?

 

Posted: 10 Dec 2008 07:13 PM CST

 

A story from the Associated Press, published on 8 December 2008,

indicates that an incurable disease has destroyed about 80% of the

vanilla plants in Madagascar. Why is that important to you? Madagascar

ships most of its vanilla to the U.S. , where it is used in candy,

soft drinks and ice cream.

 

The situation occurred in the first place because vanilla prices were

high. Farmers crowded plants together, trying to get the most from

their land. Scientists "think" they might have a disease-resistant

variety of vanilla, but no one knows for sure yet. Even if the new

varieties work, it will no doubt take quite a while for production to

be renewed.

 

My take on this is that the price of real vanilla is going to soar.

Moreover, it's very possible that the price of imitation vanilla will

also rise, because people who generally use real vanilla will be

forced to buy the imitation. So, go get your stock of vanilla, during

the holiday sales.

 

If you would like to read the "rest of the story", here is a link

http://fe14.story.media.ac4.yahoo.com/news...1208/ap_on_bi_g

e/af_madagascar_vanilla

 

 

 

[kathy003]

Good thing i'm going to Sam's Club on Monday!

[CrabGrassAcres]

Man, that's bad! Madagascar Bourbon is my favorite too. I don't think I'll run out any time in the next 20 yrs though.

[sassenach]

I am hoping there will be at least the imitation style vanilla extract on the new dollar store shelves when it opens in January in my town.

[Violet]

Thanks for the warning. I already stocked mine a few months ago.

I am also making some with some vodka and vanilla beans, just to try it. Hope it turns out.

 

[sassenach]

I have thought about that, violet! How long does it have to be in the vodka?

3 months?

[Kevin B 123]

vodka and vanilla beans = around 6 weeks, longer is better!

 

[Aint2nuts]

I am searching online for a good source of vanilla beans. I know I saw some recently that were fairly inexpensive for a large amount. Now...to find them.

[CrabGrassAcres]

http://www.comorosvanillabeans.com/extract.htm

[Rezgirl]

Quote:

http://www.comorosvanillabeans.com/extract.htm

Not a bad price. Not sure how I'd use a whole lb.

About a month ago I thought I'd look for a couple of vanilla beans to make vanilla. Not so easy, most places I checked didn't carry them. Then I "lucked" out at Whole Foods Market. (HA HA)
ONE (1) vanilla bean, bent in half and stuck in a spice jar all by it's lonely self, for the low, low price of $6.49

I decided right then and there I could probably make do with imitation, even though I can hardly stand it. In the past, I've bought vanilla in Mexico, but I haven't been there for several years. It is so good and strong, that after you become acustom to using it, Imitation doesn't hold a candle to the real thing.


Later that same day, I was strolling down the mexican food aisle at Walmart. There I spied mexican vanilla.
It is the same brand I have bought across the border -Molina. It is not exactly the same, It reads -Mexican vanilla blend, contains vanillin an artificial flavor. Made with Mexico's finest pure vanilla and vanillin.
It smells and tastes wonderful, much better than most imitations. 8.4 oz for $1.26

[Staceyy]

Originally Posted By: Aint2nuts

I am searching online for a good source of vanilla beans. I know I saw some recently that were fairly inexpensive for a large amount. Now...to find them.

I also make my own vanilla. I get my vanilla beans off of Ebay.

[Violet]

Glad Kevin posted that. I had no idea. I just got some vodka. I have a pint jar with about six long vanilla beans in it. I cut them up and slit open them, too. I hope this is OK. Figure I can strain it. Kevin is that the right amount of beans ?

My friend got them at Costco and gave them to me last Christmas.

I have imitation vanilla stored. I should be good for a long time.

 

[Aint2nuts]

http://www.comorosvanillabeans.com/vanilla.htm

 

I found a half pound of beans for 22 dollars. Wonder how many beans that is, and how long I could store those for? I would probably wind up selling some to friends in the area.

 

 

[Violet]

Angela,

It says at the bottom how many.

1/4 pound = 25-30 beans 1/2 pound = 50-60 beans 1 pound = 100-120 beans approximately Average 6 - 7 inches length

 

[CrabGrassAcres]

If you pour booze over them and seal the jar they should last indefinitely. When you are ready to use it, pour the extract into a clean jar and pour fresh booze over the beans. You will have extract for a long time.

[ol'momma]

Not just any booze. Can you imagine whisky flavored vanilla? Use vodka or maybe rum.

[Percysgirl]

I've bought vanilla beans from a seller on ebay three times now and been very pleased. We wound up paying about a quarter per bean including shipping.

[CrabGrassAcres]

I usually just pour hot simple syrup over the beans cause I'm cheap and booze is expensive.

Equal parts water and sugar, boil till clear, pour over beans in sterile jar, let set a few weeks then pour the syrup into a sterile jar and cover the beans with a fresh batch of hot syrup.

[Aint2nuts]

Wow, I now have added on a list of wants to my already long list of needs. I don't have many spices. Not that I wouldn't use them, I just can't afford to! I am going to take some of my Doll Money, and buy Vanilla beans and spices! There are some screaming deals on Ebay!

 

 

[MomM]

DH wanted us to use rum, and it really makes a great vanilla.

[susie]

I bury the beans in a big jar of sugar.

[MommaDogs]

I bought vanilla from this source. Haven't received it yet, but she shipped immediately and she has a great site. I thought it was very reasonable.

 

http://www.organic-vanilla.com/servlet/StoreFront

 

 

[CrabGrassAcres]

I buy my herbs and spices from www.atlanticspice.com great prices and the quality is just fine.