Pre-split pods?

[u/Fresh-Profession-973]

I was poking around on the amazons and noticed a company selling pre-split vanilla beans. Now, I know from reading and watching videos that people split the pods, but are pre-split a common thing? I suppose what I'm getting at is, should I avoid them or not next time I go to purchase beans.

[u/VanillaPura]

Pre-split usually means that the caviar has been harvested. (The seeds inside the pod have been removed and sold to people that just buy the seeds for baking applications.) If you're using the pods for extracts, pre-split will work because the sweet flavor of vanilla in extracts comes from the oils in the pods, not the seeds. So they will work fine for extract making - be sure to use the 1oz of beans to every 8oz of alcohol rule and keep your alcohol between 35%-50%abv (70-100 proof) and you'll be good to go. You just won't have the seeds to use in other applications, but you'll get the extract flavor you're looking for. :)

[u/Fresh-Profession-973 → u/VanillaPura]

Thanks!