Slice
it open lengthwise with a knife and scrape the seeds into the liquid mixture
to be flavored, add also the bean. Infuse for at least 10 minutes. Remove
the bean at the end when your preparation is ready, the tiny black seeds will
remain.
How to store the vanilla beans?
The best to store them is in an airtight container in a cool, dark
place along with your other spices, but be sure to place it far from your
oven.
Moist vanilla bean is a very sensitive product. To avoid mold, every 2 weeks retrieve the beans from the container and put them back after 5-10 minutes.
How
long do the vanilla beans remain fresh?
If correctly stored, vanilla beans can be kept for 1, 2 years.
Can you use a vanilla bean once
again?
No, vanilla beans cannot be re-used once they have been steeped in your custard
preparation or sauce. Like any other spices, vanilla beans cannot be washed and re-used. They will
no longer carry the intense and full aroma.
Why not use vanilla extract for baking?
Vanilla extract cannot be used for baking because the aromatic components
of extracts begin to volatilize at about 300 degrees Fahrenheit.