FAQ about our Vanilla Bean Powder:
1. How to substitute vanilla extract with Vanilla Bean Powder?
The best ratio is 1:1, although this ratio is just a great starting point. Personal preferences vary a lot. Please keep in mind, that vanilla extract is produced using alcohol and for that reason the flavours differ greatly. Start with 1:1 and see how it suits for you!
2. My Vanilla Bean Powder didn’t dissolve and it was gritty in my coffee.
Our Vanilla Bean Powder is made from completely raw, whole vanilla beans are ground up. They are not supposed to dissolve. You can think of it like cinnamon – it will give out flavour and some colour, but it doesn’t dissolve.
3. It didn’t smell like vanilla at all, when I opened the pouch.
Vanilla is similar to many other spices – you cannot experience the true scent when just opening the pouch. It kind of needs to be activated by something. Add 1-2 tsp. to your ground coffee beans before brewing and see how your kitchen fills up with this rich aroma.
4. Is this product certified organic?
No. Our vanilla beans are grown with no chemicals used – we ourselves want to consume pure, chemical-free food. Despite that, getting USDA organic certificate is very expensive. Our business supports several small farms. As a small company, we just cannot afford to make the certificate for all of them. Rest assured, our vanilla beans grow in the mountains and are clean.
5. It did not taste like vanilla I expected, was it an old batch?
You most likely tasted the powder straight from the pouch. Just like with the scent, you cannot experience true flavours tasting the powder on its own. Try it in a coffee, for example! You may also add it to your home-made ice-cream recipe, in a pudding or in a smoothie. Let it sit a little and then taste the rich and creamy vanilla flavour.
6. I tried it in a coffee, still nothing…
Fortunately, it is also an easily solved problem – play with the amounts. People are all very different, which means our taste-buds differ a lot. The amount that is enough for one person, may not be enough for the other. We have an example from home from the first days we tested our product – naturally we made vanilla-coffee for every visitor we had. As for us, we need rather little to get the intensity of flavour we want in our vanilla-coffee. Depending on the intensity we seek, as little as 1/2 tsp per 2 cups is enough. One of our best friends felt nothing at that amount. So we added more. She needs about 1.5 times more than we do. And that’s just how it is. Feel free to find the amount that satisfies your personal needs.
Naturally, if you are not happy, you will get a full refund!
7. It doesn’t taste the same like vanilla extract/vanilla sugar/vanilla powder I have tried.
It is not supposed to. Vanilla extract is usually made by soaking the vanilla in alcohol, vanilla sugar is commonly not real vanilla at all and it is synthetic. So is the white-coloured vanilla powder.
Vanillin is the compound present in vanilla beans, which gives them the distinct flavour. In natural beans, there is much more to the flavour than just vanillin, which makes it different from its synthetic alternatives.
If you have tried anything soaked in alcohol or white vanilla (which is chemically manufactured), you haven’t tasted the real thing. Give the natural, raw powder a couple of tries. Forget the synthetic, artificial vanilla flavour and let your senses accustom to raw vanilla. You will feel the difference and it is a good thing!
8. I am severely allergic to gluten/nuts. Does this product contain those allergens?
No. Our beans are ground up in a facility that only houses vanilla beans. Our powder is packaged in an FDA approved facility, that doesn’t handle anything containing these allergens. Despite that, we recommend to always proceed with care, if severely allergic.
9. The powder is much lighter in colour than other’s I have tried. Are there any additives or fillers added?
No. Our powder is only and only ground up vanilla beans. The shade of brown may vary due to different growing locations, soil, curing methods etc.
10. It did not sweeten my coffee at all, why?!
Vanilla plant itself is not a sweet plant and there are no sweeteners added to our powder. The aroma is soft and seems like it is sweet, but you still need to add sweeteners to your coffee/smoothie/baked goods.
11. Do you offer any discounts or discount coupons?
Yes, please join our newsletter to get all the offers straight to your mail. In fact, you get 10% off coupon the minute you join.
12. Anything else you’d like to know?
Please contact us through our website and your question will be answered within 48 hours.