Madagascar Vanilla Powder
This is pure ground vanilla bean, not vanilla sugar and not synthetic vanilla crystals. One ingredient: whole Madagascar vanilla beans, dried and milled to a fine, dark powder with nothing added. Whisk it into cake batter, frosting, whipped cream, and custard, dust it over coffee or oatmeal, or fold it into dry cookie mixes and spice rubs where a splash of liquid extract would throw off the texture.
Powder gives you deep vanilla flavor without the alcohol and water that extract carries, so it shines in dry mixes, meringues, and anything you do not want to loosen. The color speaks for itself: flecks of real bean run through whatever you make, the same specks you see in good vanilla ice cream.
We grind whole vanilla beans in small batches in Portland and pack the powder airtight, so the aroma stays deep and true. It is intensely concentrated, so a little carries a whole recipe. Keep the jar sealed and away from heat, and the flavor holds beautifully.
Single ingredient: ground vanilla beans. No sugar, no salt, no preservatives. Naturally gluten-free and vegan.
Is vanilla powder the same as vanilla sugar?
No, and this is the most common mix-up. Vanilla sugar is mostly sugar with vanilla flavor added, a staple in European baking. This is pure ground vanilla bean with no sugar at all. It is also not synthetic vanillin powder, which is a lab-made flavoring.
How do I substitute vanilla powder for extract?
Use about half a teaspoon of powder for every teaspoon of extract, then adjust to taste. Because the powder adds no liquid, it is the better choice when a recipe should stay dry, like meringue, dry rubs, and powdered-sugar blends.
Does vanilla powder dissolve?
It disperses rather than fully dissolving, leaving the fine dark flecks of real bean you see in premium ice cream. Whisk it into the dry ingredients first for the most even spread through a batter.
Why is true vanilla powder so hard to find?
Many products labeled "vanilla powder" are actually vanilla sugar or synthetic vanillin, so real ground bean is easy to miss. Check the ingredient list: ours reads vanilla beans, and nothing else.
How should I store it?
Keep it in a sealed jar away from light and heat. Stored well, the powder holds its deep aroma for a long time.