om nom vanilla

[rmd]

where's a good source for vanilla beans? penzey's, of course, but they're pricey. it looks like there are a bunch of people selling vanilla beans on ebay, but i have no idea if this is a reasonable source.
thanks!

Comments

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

You can also get them at Harvest Food Coop in Central. Bring your own jar, tare it at the deli, and pay bulk-rate for the beans. Still not cheap, but all the other spices I've gotten there have been good and much better priced than paying for making and shipping and storing a new glass jar every time.

[tamidon.livejournal.com]

Costco often has a great bargain on them over by the spices, 10 beans in glass vials for 11$, good juicy ones

[jessicac.livejournal.com]

I'll second the Costco tip.

[blipvert.livejournal.com]

*snoortt* Good .... beans... !

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

Have you tried "Christina's Spice & Specialty Foods" in Inman Square? (It's next door to Christina's Ice Cream).

[johnromkey.livejournal.com]

They're incredibly cheap in open markets in Bali.

[rmd.livejournal.com]

ah! i'd been wondering why anyone would go to bali. this explains it. :)

[johnromkey.livejournal.com]

They have naughty monkeys there, too.

[thespian.livejournal.com]

uhm. on The Other Computer I have info for a place that sells beans incredibly cheaply; I bought half a pound of 'imperfect' beans (madagascar and tahitian, which were inconsistently sized for retail trade) for about $20.

but the info is currently in the computer I canna get at. I will be able to mid-next week.

[charleshaynes.livejournal.com]

The best place to buy vanilla (or saffron) is http://www.saffron.com/ I am rarely this categorical about a purveyor. I guess it's theoretically possible there's a better source that I'm not aware of, but I doubt it.