Understanding Vanilla Beans
Vanilla beans are the world’s second most expensive spice after saffron. They are renowned for their unique flavor that cannot be replaced by artificial extracts and for their laborious processing. The production of vanilla beans requires manual pollination and goes through several stages—blanching, fermentation, drying, and aging—which takes at least seven months to complete. Each vanilla bean is extremely precious, earning it the well-deserved nickname “black gold.”
In the Taiwanese market, the primary supply comes from imported Bourbon vanilla beans and Tahitian vanilla beans. But did you know that vanilla beans are also cultivated in Taiwan? Are you aware that Taiwanese vanilla beans offer quality and flavor that can rival those from imported origins?
★ I Want to Order Taiwanese Vanilla beans :香草莢哪裡買│香草騎士-香草專門店
Taiwan Also Grows Vanilla Beans
Vanilla Knight | Vanilla Farmer – Since 2012, Wei Zheng-Lin has entered the world of vanilla cultivation and is one of the first Taiwanese farmers to receive technology transfer from the Taoyuan Agricultural Improvement Center for growing Vanilla planifolia. In the early days of entering this field, faced with a market where the quality of vanilla beans varied greatly, his insistence on quality led him to travel across Madagascar, Indonesia, Tahiti, and Malaysia to learn traditional techniques for vanilla cultivation and post-fermentation processing. His years of perseverance not only provided him with abundant cultivation experience but also earned Master Wei Zheng-Lin the "Top 100 Taiwanese Farmers Award" in 2023 as Vanilla Farmer.
At the same time, as a judge for the 2022 and 2023 Taiwanese Vanilla Evaluations, Master Wei Zheng-Lin actively participates in the formulation and evaluation of industry standards. He also conducts numerous vanilla cultivation courses and farm tours. Through education and sharing, he helps other Taiwanese vanilla bean farmers improve their techniques and deepen their understanding and mastery of vanilla flavor, thereby providing a platform for learning and growth for fellow farmers.
★ I Want to Order Taiwanese Vanilla beans :Vanilla Knight - Vanilla Specialty Store (Vanilla Farmer)
Precise Control in Post-Fermentation of Vanilla Beans
During the early exploration of vanilla bean cultivation and fermentation, Master Wei Zheng-Lin faced challenges with quality not meeting the desired standards. Instead of giving up, he persistently sought solutions. Ultimately, he discovered an innovative approach by combining traditional techniques with modern technology—investing in a professional fermentation machine valued at NT$450,000 and collaborating with the manufacturer to develop and adjust the process. This ensured that the temperature and conditions during fermentation were precisely controlled, significantly enhancing the quality stability of the vanilla beans.
Through mechanized, temperature-controlled fermentation and years of experience with sun-drying methods, Master Wei successfully produced top-quality vanilla beans that rival those from international sources. This achievement is a successful example of integrating traditional methods with modern technology.
Where Can You Buy Vanilla Beans?
Taiwan’s diverse climate and insular characteristics endow locally grown vanilla beans with unique flavor features. The vanilla beans from Vanilla Knight come from Puli, Nantou in Taiwan, where strict controls are maintained throughout the cultivation process—from manual pollination to blanching, fermentation, and drying. Every step is meticulously managed using environmentally friendly methods, ensuring that each vanilla bean meets the highest quality standards and passes 410 tests for pesticide residue and heavy metals. (Click here to view the certification.)
★ I Want to Order Taiwanese Vanilla beans :Vanilla Knight - Vanilla Specialty Store (Vanilla Farmer)
(In the image above) Vanilla Knight Bourbon Vanilla Beans are rich in creamy aroma, sweetness, and caramel notes, with a hint of smokiness. They are ideal for a wide range of culinary and baking creations—whether making puddings, custards, cake batters, or preparing vanilla extract, vanilla sugar, and vanilla salt, they add an irresistible aroma to your dishes.
(In the image above) In addition to Bourbon vanilla beans, Vanilla Knight (Vanilla Farmer) also offers Taiwanese Tahitian vanilla beans. However, the production in the plantation has not yet increased, so only a small quantity of Tahitian vanilla beans is produced each year. Each Taiwanese Tahitian vanilla bean weighs about twice as much as a Bourbon bean, and the pod is rich and full of oil.
In addition to offering Bourbon and Tahitian vanilla beans, Vanilla Knight also sells Taiwanese vanilla extract and vanilla powder, which can be used for baking or cooking. Below are some usage suggestions:
◆ Vanilla Bean Seed Powder: It can first be made into vanilla sugar, which is used in cookies, macarons, beverages, pancakes, pastry fillings, mille-feuille, breads, shortbreads, spreads, handmade soaps, candles, and more.
◆ Vanilla Bean Paste: Use it in puddings, custards, chiffon and sponge cake batters, canelés, soufflé cakes, cheesecake batters, mousses (mixed into the base or with fresh cream), ice creams, custards, almond pastry fillings, and other baked goods. It retains its aroma well even after baking.
◆ Vanilla Extract: It is ideal for beverages, ice creams, mousse bases, and glaze for frostings. It should not be used in hot, baked items.
★我想訂購台灣香草莢相關產品：Vanilla Knight - Vanilla Specialty Store (Vanilla Farmer)
He is both a chef and a farmer, ensuring strict quality control with his dual roles.
"I know Taiwan grows vanilla beans! I’ve bought them from other suppliers before, but they tasted too bland and lacked aroma."
We often hear visitors at exhibitions say this. In the past, due to a lack of technology and knowledge, the quality of some Taiwanese vanilla beans did not meet market expectations, leading consumers to lose confidence in local vanilla beans.
However, Master Wei, as a dessert chef, possesses a unique advantage in selecting and processing vanilla beans. He fully understands the role each vanilla bean plays in desserts and can accurately judge the differences in varieties and flavors. This expertise, combined with his role as a farmer, enables him to precisely control the post-fermentation process, ensuring that every vanilla bean achieves its optimal flavor. His dual identity allows him to better understand and meet market demands, rigorously overseeing quality from cultivation to fermentation, so that every bean can deliver its best aroma in desserts.
From farm to table, experience the pure aroma of Taiwan and savor the passion and pursuit of life.
Vanilla Knight - Vanilla Specialty Store (Vanilla Farmer)
★線上訂購：香草莢官方網站
門市地址：
〃香草騎士－埔里甜點門市〃
南投縣埔里鎮中山路一段241-2號
049 2992276
OPEN 10:00 – 18:00
〃香草騎士－台中甜點門市〃
台中市潭子區頭家路大成街124巷10號
04 2539 3900
OPEN 13:30 – 21:00 (每周一及周二公休)
