5 advices to identify a reliable vanilla supplier

5 criteria to identify a reliable vanilla supplier

Many people use vanilla frequently in baking their favorite sweet treats and baked goods. But many of us who use vanilla know little about it, except that it smells and tastes great. When buying vanilla beans online or from a supplier, you can’t inhale that wonderful aroma. So how can you ensure the quality and reliability of a supplier ?

There are at least 5 things you should do to ensure the vanilla you are buying overseas are worth your money :

• Ask specific questions to the supplier to see if (s)he is experienced enough

When selecting a reliable vanilla supplier, it’s crucial to assess their expertise and knowledge in the field. Prepare a set of specific questions related to vanilla cultivation, processing, and types. Inquire about their methods for curing and drying the beans, the differences between various vanilla species, and how they maintain the quality during storage and transit. An experienced supplier should be able to provide detailed and confident answers, demonstrating their depth of knowledge and commitment to quality.

Where do her/his beans come from ? When are they harvested ? How is it dried ?

These are very basic questions to start the ball rolling. No matter how bad the english level, if the person is experienced (s)he could come up with good, accurate answers for all these.

Ask also some technical questions.

Here are some guidelines we can provide when it comes to the quality of Indonesian and Papua gourmet vanilla beans : Tahitensis beans from Papua should be between 12 to 15 cm long, 3 grams per bean, while Planifolia from Indonesia should be 16 to 18 cm lnog, even though there are some that are 18 cm and longer, with more than 3 gr per bean.

• Transportation/Delivery services used

Good suppliers would use the best possible means of transportation or delivery companies to send their precious beans locally as well as internationally. When s(he) says express service is preferred, it is definitely one good sign of a very pro supplier. Good suppliers never let their beans mixed with other commodities in an ocean freight containers during considerably long period of time in hopes of increasing their margins. It is just wrong, goods as expensive as gourmet vanilla should always be flown via air service. There are also additional detals that will make a supplier stand out like using strong packagaging, quality sealing machine and vaccum pack, being reactive, etc …

• Prices should be not too low not too high

Good suppliers know that nothing will come good from selling their goods with very high margins. Most suppliers would follow the price trend. When the stock is scarce, prices are most likely to increase. Not because it is time for him to get as much as he can, the reason should come from giving incentives to their farmers and sources to make a living while the good is not in harvest season. This fair-trade (though without actual certification) practice makes the very core of sustainable farming business and ensure the farmers won’t quit cultivating vanilla and other spices.

• Get in touch with them on the phone to get a feel of who they are

This is the only way you will get a better feel of the person and how trustable they are, no matter if they are Mexican, Tahitian, Madagasy, Indonesian, Ugandan. Audio approach is universal and it always works better than email, texting, and whatsapp. Magically, from the tone of the person and where the conversation headed, it would normally give you a yes or no dealing business with this particular supplier. So the most important question is why do you need to make sure s(he) is trustable ? It is unlikely that a supplier will provide vanillin content analysis. Even if they do, it will only represent past samples / batch. The goal is to develop trust with the supplier and ensure he works with reliable and skilled curing houses. Expect between 1 to 1,3% vanillin content.

• Ask what quantity they can supply and where the beans come from

If they say 500 kg but they don’t have a drying facility, be cautious ! There must be something wrong. Suppliers with capacity more than 100 kg per shipment should be default as his own drying facility. Vanilla gourmet quality is partly determined by its moisture level. Once the beans are exposed to ambiant temperature without any protection, the moisture drop very fast and go dry very fast. Once it is dried out, it won’t be deemed as gourmet quality anymore. That is the reason suppliers without their own proper curing house would be having difficulties in providing this much gourmet beans.

Let’s continue this conversation on the comments. Share with us your experiences buying your vanilla beans online or from an overseas supplier. Let’s help each other to get the vanilla you are looking for.

Your reliable vanilla supplier : Summary

Choosing a reliable vanilla supplier is a critical decision that impacts the quality and authenticity of the vanilla beans you receive.

By engaging in specific questioning, you can assess the supplier’s expertise and commitment to quality. The transportation and delivery methods used are crucial in ensuring the beans maintain their integrity and aroma. Pricing is another key indicator; a balance must be struck between affordability and the assurance of high quality and ethical sourcing. Personal interaction, such as a phone call, can offer deeper insights into the supplier’s business ethos and customer service approach, which are essential for a trustworthy and long-term relationship. Lastly, understanding the supplier’s capacity to consistently meet your quantity needs and their transparency about the origin of the beans are fundamental to securing a reliable source of vanilla.

In addition to these points, it’s recommanded to look for suppliers who are proactive in maintaining industry standards and who continuously evolve their practices to meet the changing demands of the vanilla market. Vanilla bean suppliers who invest in sustainable farming practices and fair trade not only contribute positively to the global vanilla industry but also ensure the long-term availability and quality of vanilla pods. Check some of the best vanilla suppliers.

By carefully considering these aspects, you can establish a partnership with a vanilla supplier who not only meets your current needs but is also equipped to grow with your business in the future.