所有的甜點、餐點、飲品，都可以使用香草莢來製作，通常會因為考量「成本、方便、好保存」這三個原因改選擇使用替代品，例如香草精、香草粉、香草莢醬。

詳細看如何使用香草莢：How to Use Vanilla Beans? Learn from Baking Experts

1️⃣ 顏色深褐、有自然油光
👉 看起來濕潤、有深色香草液體是加分關鍵。

2️⃣ 長度足夠，建議 15 公分以上
👉 長度越長、香草籽含量越多。

3️⃣ 果莢柔軟有彈性
👉 用手輕壓，不乾裂、不僵硬為佳。

4️⃣ 厚實有手感，代表籽多
👉 越厚實裡面籽含量通常越高

5️⃣ 購買後聞香確認
👉 香氣要自然濃郁，帶焦糖、奶油、木質等層次。

📌 依 ISO 5565，香草莢理想含水量：25%～38%

詳看如何挑選文章介紹：How to Choose Good Vanilla Beans? 3 Key Points to Judge Quality

Yes, you can reduce sugar, but if too much is reduced, the vanilla bean’s aroma may not be as noticeable. Sugar helps release the vanilla fragrance.

Yes! If used in liquids like milk, tea, or alcohol, no washing is needed; simply dry at a low temperature. For milk or tea, wash thoroughly before low-temperature drying until it resembles dry wood. It can then be turned into vanilla sugar or added to flour for making cookies, almond paste, or bread. While the flavor will be weaker, it can still be used.

Yes! They can be used in cream-based soups, fish dishes with cream sauce, vanilla spice salt, or mulled wine. For stir-frying, vanilla beans themselves are unsweetened and may taste bitter, so add them carefully.

咖啡色液體其實是香草莢本身所釋出的天然油脂，帶有強烈的香氣，並非腐敗產物，特別是含水量略高、油脂豐富的果莢，壓縮抽真空後，會因內部壓力微變而釋出這些香氣成分。

香草莢保存得當的話可以存放至少2年，最佳保存方式為真空放在陰涼處（不可冰冷藏），其他方式請詳看下方連結。

詳細閱讀：香草農夫教你如何保存香草莢，香草莢怎麼保存才不會壞？

If not stored properly, vanilla beans can become moldy when exposed to moisture. However, if stored correctly, they can last at least two years without spoiling.

詳細閱讀："What Is Vanillin Crystallization? Does a White Coating on Vanilla Beans Mean They Are Moldy?"

No, moldy vanilla beans cannot be used!

詳看閱讀：What should you do if your vanilla beans get moldy? How can you tell if they have molded?

Vanilla beans do not need to be washed. If you feel uneasy about not washing them, you can wipe them with disinfectant alcohol.