My vanilla beans arrived, but are frozen solid because of the sub-zero temperatures. Are they still usable to make vanilla, or are they ruined?
168341
I realize it's a bit late to help you, but for anyone reading this later:Frozen vanilla beans should still be usable for extract, but I would suggest using them right away. Freezing or refrigerating can promote certain types of mold in vanilla beans, but it shouldn't affect the flavor compounds in the beans.
168342
I realize it's a bit late to help you, but for anyone reading this later: Frozen vanilla beans should still be usable for extract, but I would suggest using them right away. Freezing or refrigerating can promote certain types of mold in vanilla beans, but it shouldn't affect the flavor compounds in the beans.
1498415
Honestly, I have no idea.I would suggest asking the vanilla bean professionals at Nielsen-Massey at the following link: www.NielsenMassey.comI hope this helps!
2080064
I keep the unopened bags in my pantry, and put the contents of the opened bag into a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator. So far, both seem to be just fine. Don't know about what freezing would do to the coconut. Maybe you should contact Red Mill about that.
928146
The shelf life of pure vanilla extract is indefinite. It should last as long as it doesn't get warm
1652821
The vanilla beans will come in plastic vacuum sealed packages. It's recommended that you keep the beans sealed until usage but don't keep them stored in the plastic for more than a few months. You'll want to store in a glass container. Then you're good for about 8-12 (best) months up to 2 years. It's not that the bean will go bad, it just won't be as good. Don't store the container in the fridge, the cold strips the moisture from the bean and you'll have a harder time getting the yummy goodness out of it! Keep it in a cool dark place (we keep ours with the rest of our spices). If your beans get dry just use it for something else like flavoring milk! The vanilla beans will come in plastic vacuum sealed packages. It's recommended that you keep the beans sealed until usage but don't keep them stored in the plastic for more than a few months. You'll want to store in a glass container. Then you're good for about 8-12 (best) months up to 2 years. It's not that the bean will go bad, it just won't be as good. Don't store the container in the fridge, the cold strips the moisture from the bean and you'll have a harder time getting the yummy goodness out of it! Keep it in a cool dark place (we keep ours with the rest of our spices). If your beans... » Read More The vanilla beans will come in plastic vacuum sealed packages. It's recommended that you keep the beans sealed until usage but don't keep them stored in the plastic for more than a few months. You'll want to store in a glass container. Then you're good for about 8-12 (best) months up to 2 years. It's not that the bean will go bad, it just won't be as good. Don't store the container in the fridge, the cold strips the moisture from the bean and you'll have a harder time getting the yummy goodness out of it! Keep it in a cool dark place (we keep ours with the rest of our spices). If your beans get dry just use it for something else like flavoring milk! « Show Less
1725835
It's the opposite. Freezing it PREVENTS it from losing any nutrients. It's the best way to keep the seeds at full potency. Especially if you grind them in advance. They don't actually "freeze" in the freezer and it keeps them from turning rancid. You should also make sure to keep them in an opaque bag so they aren't affected by light.
1344050
I have experienced some freezing. I avoid it by freezing my storage container while my ice cream is underway. The longer it takes to transfer from the machine to storage, the more likely the ice cream will freeze. I make chocolate ice cream with starbucks hot chocolate mix, it withstands freezing. With vanilla, I replace whole milk with 1/2 & 1/2 and add cream cheese to result in a creamier mix. Also try unflavored gelatin. Notwithstanding, I still experience some freezing. According to experts, this happens because of the time lapse in the transfer process.
63717
Most of the time, mine seem to crack when they freeze too fast. I use hot water to fill molds, then place the molds into a small soft cooler which is then closed and placed into the freezer. The combination of the hot water and extra insulation slows down the freezing process. The results wont be perfect, but it vastly improved the quality of my ice spheres.
276873
I did not, though some recipes for vanilla, which is what I used them for, said to sterilize. I would imagine just putting them in boiling water for a short period of time would do the trick-minus the plastic lids. I would not know how the sterilize the lids.
526785
Technically, it's doable, but: 1) You need to slit open the bean pods with a paring knife. If your students are very young, you will probably want to do that yourself. 2) The vanilla "seeds" are super-tiny and are very moist in the pod. To remove them, you (or your students) will need to scrape them out of the slit-open pods with the blunt edge of a knife, a plastic knife, a spoon, or some other implement. What you remove is going to look like a black smear and/or clumps, and will need to be mixed very well with your ice cream base. I assume you're making ice cream, not just mixing raw vanilla bean into already-made ice cream. The first would be delicious. The second would be very bad and inedible. Technically, it's doable, but: 1) You need to slit open the bean pods with a paring knife. If your students are very young, you will probably want to do that yourself. 2) The vanilla "seeds" are super-tiny and are very moist in the pod. To remove them, you (or your students) will need to scrape them out of the slit-open pods with the blunt edge of a knife, a plastic knife, a spoon, or some other implement. What you remove is going to look like a black smear and/or clumps, and will need to be mixed very well with your ice cream base. I assume you're making ice cream, not just... » Read More Technically, it's doable, but: 1) You need to slit open the bean pods with a paring knife. If your students are very young, you will probably want to do that yourself. 2) The vanilla "seeds" are super-tiny and are very moist in the pod. To remove them, you (or your students) will need to scrape them out of the slit-open pods with the blunt edge of a knife, a plastic knife, a spoon, or some other implement. What you remove is going to look like a black smear and/or clumps, and will need to be mixed very well with your ice cream base. I assume you're making ice cream, not just mixing raw vanilla bean into already-made ice cream. The first would be delicious. The second would be very bad and inedible. « Show Less
1883590
Hello Bob. I was told by the seller that if I keep the seeds in the freezer and thaw them slowly before I use them they will be good forever. Hence mine are in the freezer. If you buy these, the seller includes an info sheet on all this. Good luck.
808128
Do not refrigerate or freeze, they rot very quickly after harvest. I live in Florida so I am not really an expert in frozen ground, but from what I have heard from others it should be fine.
1622035
If I happen not to use an entire package, I usually stick them in the freezer and have used them months later. They don't actually freeze solid because of the brine solution. I did not notice any freezer burn or change in texture.
432060
You should be able to put them in the freezer. I did with my raw cashews so they wouldn't spoil and they were great each time I took some out. Even good to eat cold :)
1690962
I made vanilla with these beans for Christmas gifts and it turned out yummy!Everyone that received the vanilla said it was great! I do not remember the beans having a stinky or odd smell however!
191468
Yes. I used half and froze the other half for about 4 months. The 2nd batch tasted just as good as the 1st. :) Just be careful when freezing - I ended up breaking some of the shells due to moving them around the freezer with other food. Didn't break too many (thank goodness), but the more these shells are handled - the more likely you are to break some.
1200512
I accidentally froze some. I was interrupted and put my bowl of ice cream in the freezer when I answered the front door. When I got back to the ice cream a few hours later the boba on top were frozen solid. they didn't stay frozen very long but were delicious frozen. They do stick together frozen.