Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Ordering & gifting

Where should I start when discovering vanilla beans?

If you are a beginner, Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar is the most versatile choice: rich and indulgent, it suits almost every recipe. To go further, browse our collection of exceptional vanillas and follow our vanilla & recipe pairing guide to find the ideal bean for what you have in mind.

Do you offer gift boxes or gift ideas?

Yes. We offer three vanilla gift boxes: the Discovery Gift Box to get started, the Variety Gift Box for comparative tasting, and the Collector Gift Box for connoisseurs. You can also put together your own assortment. An ideal gourmet gift for cooking enthusiasts and chefs alike.

How many beans should I order?

Allow, on average, one bean for a family dessert (a custard, an ice cream, a crème brûlée). Our pricing is tiered: the more you order, the lower the price per bean. For regular use or in a professional kitchen, our formats sold by weight are the best value.

Are your beans fresh and recent?

Yes. Because we work direct from the growers, our beans are selected as close as possible to the harvest, then cured and stored in optimal conditions. You receive vanilla that is supple, fragrant and traceable — never stock forgotten in a warehouse.

Our vanillas & our quality

How many varieties and origins do you offer?

Galand Vanille brings together 8 botanical species (including V. planifolia “Bourbon”, X. tahitensis and V. pompona) from 19 origins around the world. Each variety has a unique aromatic profile: discover them all in our collection of exceptional vanillas.

What is the difference between the main vanilla varieties?

In a nutshell: Bourbon (planifolia) is warm, buttery and cocoa-like; Tahitensis is floral and aniseed; Pompona plays on candied fruit and spices.

Our rare species complete the picture: Odorata blends chocolate, cherry, cocoa butter and matcha; Cribbiana surprises with notes of bell pepper, chili, caramel and peanut; Sotoarenasii evokes plum, peach, licorice and tonka bean; Bahiana shows rare power, somewhere between dried chili, muscovado sugar and a hint of mint.

We describe the main varieties in detail in our comparison Bourbon, Tahitensis or Pompona: which variety should you choose?, and you can taste them side by side with the Variety Gift Box.

What is “direct-from-growers” vanilla?

It is vanilla bought as close as possible to the growers, without the usual long chain of intermediaries. The benefits: freshness, traceability and fair pay for the growers. We explain our approach in detail on the vanilla direct from the growers page.

Are your vanillas 100% natural?

Yes, completely. Our beans contain no additives or synthetic flavorings: nothing but vanilla and its hundreds of natural aromatic molecules, the very opposite of flat-tasting artificial vanillin.

What is curing, and why is it so important?

Curing is the slow process that develops the aromas of the bean after the harvest. It can last many months, or even several years, and it is what makes all the difference in taste. A high standard we describe on the My Story page.

Do your beans come from responsible agriculture?

Yes. We work exclusively with growers committed to environmentally friendly practices: crops grown without chemicals, using agroecology, in harmony with natural cycles.

Storage & use

How should I store my vanilla beans?

Keep them in an airtight glass container (our glass tube is ideal), away from light and heat, never in the refrigerator. Properly stored, beans keep for several months to several years. Everything is explained step by step in our complete storage guide.

My bean is covered in white crystals: is it moldy?

No, quite the opposite. These shiny crystals are vanillin “frost”, a sign of aromatic richness and quality. Real mold, on the other hand, is fuzzy and cottony. We explain how to tell them apart in our article on vanilla crystallization.

How do I use a vanilla bean?

Split the bean in two, scrape out the caviar and infuse the whole bean for 24 to 48 hours in a cold liquid (milk, cream). Nothing goes to waste: the infused bean can be reused. Find all the techniques in our guide using a vanilla bean in pastry.

Can I make homemade vanilla extract with your beans?

Absolutely. Split 5 to 6 beans, immerse them in 25 cl of spirit (vodka or rum, 40° minimum) and leave to macerate for 2 to 3 months. Our beans from Madagascar or Tanzania are particularly well suited to it.

Delivery, payment & returns

How quickly is my order shipped and delivered?

Orders are shipped within 24 to 48 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays). In mainland France, delivery generally takes 2 to 4 working days. More information on our Delivery page.

Do you deliver abroad?

Yes, we deliver to several European countries. Charges and delivery times adjust automatically to your destination country at checkout.

Which payment methods do you accept?

Payment is 100% secure. You pay by bank card and via the payment solutions offered at checkout. Your bank details are never stored by our shop.

How do I track my order?

A tracking link is sent to you by email as soon as your order ships. You can use it to follow every stage of the delivery right up to your door.

What is your returns policy?

If you are not satisfied, you have 14 days to make a return. For reasons of hygiene and quality, products must be returned unopened and in their original packaging.

Professionals

Do you offer prices and formats for professionals?

Yes. Pastry chefs, chocolatiers, ice-cream makers and restaurateurs have a dedicated professional area, with formats sold by weight (125 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg) and tailored prices. We also help chefs choose the vanillas best suited to their creations.