 Vanilla is the second costliest spice in the world, after saffron. Photo of vanilla beans by Joan Vicent Canto | IST.
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Product Reviews / Main Nibbles / Salts & SeasoningsVanilla: The World’s Favorite FlavorPage 6: Taste Test Results ~ Vanilla Beans
This is Page 6 of a nine-page article. Click on the black links below to visit other pages. |
Vanilla Bean Taste TestAfter studying the effect of the vanilla in shortbread cookies, we made pastry chef Larissa Raphael’s panna cotta recipe with six different vanilla beans. As with the vanilla extracts, the vanilla beans came from different areas of the world. As with the cookies, all of the panna cottas were delicious, but we had our favorites. In a recipe like panna cotta, it’s not only the flavor that can be improved, but the appearance of the bean specks, which are obtained by scraping the bean after it has been scalded in the cream. Different beans “speck” differently! In fact, Larissa Raphael, whose profession includes perfecting her recipes even if they’re already superb, noted enough of a difference that she decided to change the type of vanilla she uses to one of the winners. |
 Larissa Raphael’s panna cotta recipe was used to test the vanilla extracts. Here’s the recipe for these delightful dessert. Photo by Saidi Granados | THE NIBBLE. |
| Vanilla Bean Brand | Origin | Bean Appearance |
Panna Cotta Appearance |
Taste |
| Aust & Hachmann |
French Polynesia | Thick, over- sized bean |
Light bean specks | - Nice, smooth vanilla flavor |
| Aust & Hachmann (The Winner - Tie) | Papua New Guinea | Full, moist bean | Moderate, attractive bean specks | - Tied for favorite |
| Aust & Hachmann |
Uganda | Viscous, plump bean | Heavy, concentrated bean specks | - Bright flavor enhances richness and sweetness |
| Madécasse (The Winner) |
Madagascar | Dry, brittle bean | Little to no bean specks | - Subtle, infused floral flavor |
| Rain’s Choice (The Winner - Tie) |
Mexican | Moderate size & moisture | Moderate bean specks | - Strong vanilla flavor with distinctive, “unique” vanilla aftertaste |
| Rain’s Choice | Tahitian | Moist, tapered bean | Heavy, pronounced bean specks | - Indistinct vanilla flavor - Overwhelming taste of butter |
Continue To Page 7: Shortbread Cookie & Panna Cotta Recipe
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