How To: Split and Seed a Vanilla Bean

In this step-by-step guide we will show you how to easily split and extract the seeds from a fresh vanilla bean. Normally we only use fresh vanilla in our recipes. Fresh vanilla simply has a better and more rich flavor compared to the dried vanilla products you can buy at the grocery store. This guide show you how to extract these delicious vanilla seeds from the beans and it's actually very easy - it's differently worth the little extra work. We always use fresh vanilla for our vanilla ice cream or the very tradition Danish rice pudding (Risalamande) which is a dessert typically served at Christmas.

How To: Make Vanilla Sugar

If you are about to use a recipe where you need vanilla sugar, and you can't find it at your local grocery store, you can also use this guide. You simply just follow all the steps below.

How-To: Split and Seed a Vanilla Bean

Time: 5 minutes

You'll Need:
1 vanilla bean
knife
chopping board

Directions:
Step 1: Use a small knife to cut the vanilla bean lengthwise.
Step 2: Split the bean in two pieces.
Step 3: Place the two halves on a chopping board.
Step 4: Use the back/nonsharp side of the knife to scrap out the vanilla seeds.
Step 5: Place the vanilla seeds in a small pile. If the recipe, where you are going to use the vanilla, contains sugar continue to next step - otherwise stop here.
Step 6: Pour a tablespoon of sugar next to the vanilla pile and mix the two ingredients together using the knife. This way you avoid the vanilla to clump together.

By Kim Nielsen
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