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Post by beth on Jun 18, 2018 17:02:22 GMT -5
I remember a CLBB discussion or two about the prices of vanilla when they went up in the past. I am a bit surprised that I haven't seen any discussion here or on other forums. Penzey's sent out their last chance to buy before the prices increased. Is anyone still buying vanilla? I'm hoping what's in my stash lasts until prices come down. In the meantime, if I have to evacuate, I'm grabbing the dogs, photos, important papers and my vanilla.
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Post by emma on Jun 18, 2018 18:06:45 GMT -5
Have you ever used Vanilla Bean Powder? I got packages for gifts for my daughters a couple of years ago from Amazon. I think the price was about $14 for 3 ounces. It is organic, and concentrated so that you only need to use half of the amount of vanilla called for in recipes. Symbols on the package are: USDA organic - Gluten Free - Raw - Non GMO - Fair trade. Another plus, for some people is that there is no need to worry about using vanilla when cooking for, or a host serving, a recovering alcoholic.
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Post by beth on Jun 22, 2018 9:13:36 GMT -5
For some reason, I lost my reply before it posted twice. At any rate, I have tried vanilla powder and paste. I have preferred extract or beans (gotta be something pretty special to consider a bean at today's prices). I may have both in my cabinet. I wasn't very fond of the paste -- added ingredients and not as good a flavor for me. The powder I tried wasn't impressive either -- and it was more expensive. The paste was a more recent purchase, but the powder was before the last few price increases. It is possible it has gone from novelty status to something produced more efficiently. I might look into that again. In the meantime, I pulled out all my steeping extracts (4 different varieties and 2 different bases). I have a few precious beans and several jars of extract. I hope that keeps me stocked until prices come down again.
I read an article a while back that talked about the vanilla market and seemed to blame human influences on the market -- things like greed and crop theft, more than the weather issues. Seems like by the time we hear about storms wiping out crops and driving up prices, crop theft becomes a thing -- and then production quality tends to suffer as well. They say it continues until the market drops out. The article advised not supporting the greed and inferior quality beans (having to do with when they are harvested and how they are cured) by using artificial vanilla. Price will make that a necessity for more and more people, but even before these latest price increases, Cook's Illustrated has advocated using artificial flavoring for baking. I haven't gone that route, but I'm not planning on buying any new vanilla beans until prices go down and quality back up.
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traildoggie
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Post by traildoggie on Jun 23, 2018 11:03:55 GMT -5
Last time I bought vanilla extract it was at Costco. it was about $30 for a bottle that used to be about $8. I have to say I grabbed one and didn't notice the price until I checked out. I also use Nieman Massey .....think that's close to the brand name.... vanilla bean paste in ice cream. Costco still has vanilla at about that price. it's a good size bottle. it's more than it was but will last me a year at least. I haven't used the synthetic stuff for a long time and at the small amount I use, I will probably stick with the real stuff.
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emptynestmom
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Post by emptynestmom on Jul 6, 2018 6:49:44 GMT -5
I haven’t bought any lately...made a huge bottle of vodka into vanilla a couple of years ago from beans I bought prior to price hike. I still have quite a bit left in the bottle...I read this about price increase on eater.com:
Vanilla plants take about three years to mature and produce beans. When the cyclone hit this spring, it tore through the main vanilla-growing areas in Madagascar, known as the SAVA region. Not only were crops devastated, but the surrounding trees, essential to filter sunlight and diffuse the heat hitting the vanilla vines, were also decimated. This means future crops may also be damaged or die from the stress of too much sun.
I doubt my stash will hold out for another 3+ years😢
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Post by beth on Jul 16, 2018 17:04:22 GMT -5
I thought I read something that said they were showing recovery and prices might start improving next year. Do you know the date of that eater.com article? If it's another 3 years, I might be in trouble too.
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emptynestmom
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Post by emptynestmom on Jul 16, 2018 19:23:56 GMT -5
October 19, 2017...when I went back to look I was hoping it was written earlier...
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emptynestmom
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Post by emptynestmom on Jul 16, 2018 19:25:25 GMT -5
Statement was made by Craig Nielsen, VP of sustainability at Nielsen-Massey, which has been in the business of making vanilla since 1907...
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Post by beth on Jul 28, 2018 18:54:39 GMT -5
Ruh -oh. I read something about chocolate being in trouble too. What are we to do?
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emptynestmom
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Post by emptynestmom on Jul 28, 2018 21:33:11 GMT -5
Stock up on chocolate now???!!! That would be worse than vanilla...😢
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Post by mrswaz on Jul 31, 2018 9:28:55 GMT -5
They say it continues until the market drops out. The article advised not supporting the greed and inferior quality beans (having to do with when they are harvested and how they are cured) by using artificial vanilla. Price will make that a necessity for more and more people, but even before these latest price increases, Cook's Illustrated has advocated using artificial flavoring for baking. I haven't gone that route, but I'm not planning on buying any new vanilla beans until prices go down and quality back up. CI, ATK and Serious Eats have all suggested imitation vanilla and have done tastes tests. sweets.seriouseats.com/2013/12/taste-test-is-better-vanilla-extract-worth-the-price.htmlI now keep that giant bottle of McCormick's in my pantry. I buy it at Sam's Club and for myself and my family, we think it tastes great.
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Post by wallycat on Aug 2, 2018 10:07:37 GMT -5
Inflation is real. Money magazine said food prices (not just spices, but food across the board) is increasing more than wages (shock). Being on a fixed income is a royal pain.
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Post by beth on Aug 4, 2018 14:04:22 GMT -5
Wally, I hear you. Everything is going up faster than wages even for those not on a fixed income. Being on a fixed income just makes it worse. I think DH is finally going to retire -- but I'm not sure I'm ready.
Empynestmom -- Exactly! And a lot of things with chocolate need both! Wonder how much you can stash -- and how many forms, for how long. I could only last so long without chocolate.
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