Quick Tips: Vanilla Beans

Store vanilla beans in a screw top jar and cover with vodka. This will make the vanilla bean more supple and easy to use, but also, over time the vodka will become vanilla extract.

To use a vanilla bean that's been soaking in vodka, you can snip the end of the bean and squeeze the seeds out. Alternatively, run a sharp knife down one side of the bean, open it out flat, and with the back of the knife, scrape out the seeds.

Don't throw away used vanilla beans - place them in an airtight container filled with sugar. This will scent the sugar with vanilla which can then be used for baking or sprinkling on desserts.