Vanilla Beans

[Melissa in FL]

Anyone know the best (and cheap) place that I can get vanilla beans? My mom and I want to make some homemade vanilla extract, and some Kahlua. She was looking at a store today and called to see if she had a good price, it was $3.50 per bean. I said "NO" and told her I would ask you where the best place to get them is. I know I can use cheap Vodka, but does the bean matter? Is it better to get one bean over another? Or is any old bean going to taste better than the extract in the store?
Thanks
Melissa

[ustasmom]

You can buy a 1/4 pound of bourbon vanilla beans for $20.50. That would be 22-30 beans.

That price is through Frontier wholesale.

[Denise in IN]

Yes, you do want to get good beans. I've purchased mine from Arizona Vanilla Company (http://stores.ebay.com/Arizona-Vanilla-Company)(Ebay store), and I've been very happy with their service and the quality of the beans.

It's just about time to start the vanilla for Christmas gifts! :001_smile: