Vanilla Bean Paste: Every Baker’s Best Kept Secret

Kindi Lantz enero 31, 2025

When it comes to infusing the elegant flavor of vanilla into sweet treats, savory dishes, and enchanting potations, the options are plentiful: whole vanilla pods, pre-scraped seeds, finely ground vanilla powder, vanilla sugar, vanilla extract, and more. Of the aforementioned vanilla products, extract is, by far, most common found on pantry shelves and spice cabinets, prized for its accessibility and longevity. Yet, another versatile vanilla option is steadily gaining recognition—vanilla bean paste, offering the same benefits as extract with a distinctive charm.

What is Vanilla Paste?

Vanilla bean paste is a somewhat deceptive name because it isn’t truly a paste. Unlike other “pastes”, vanilla bean paste is not made by crushing and blending substances to make a thick, spreadable concoction. It is actually more similar to a concentrated simple syrup, derived from a blend of vanilla extract, vanilla bean caviar or whole ground vanilla beans, and typically a thickening agent like sugar or xanthan gum.

How is vanilla bean paste different from vanilla extract?

Vanilla extract is made by submerging whole, split, or cut vanilla beans—typically Grade B vanilla beans, due to lower moisture content—to alcohol and letting the mixture sit for several months. The vanilla beans soak up the liquid and infuse their fragrant aroma and rich flavor into the alcohol.

Vanilla paste goes a step further by blending the extract with vanilla seeds. Vanilla paste also typically has the addition of a thickening agent. The result is a highly concentrated vanilla product that also incorporates black flecks of vanilla seeds for added aesthetic appeal.

Check out this article to learn more about the differences between vanilla paste and vanilla extract. 

Can I substitute vanilla bean paste for vanilla pods in recipes?

Yes, vanilla bean paste can be substituted for vanilla pods in recipes, though the flavor intensity may vary slightly due to natural size differences among pods, bean grade, and type of vanilla bean. One teaspoon of paste is generally equivalent to the seeds from a single, average-sized pod, offering a convenient alternative for those who want the rich flavor and visual appeal of vanilla specks without extra preparation.

Highly-sensitive recipes should be taken into consideration. If moisture content is of the utmost importance, pay close attention because vanilla bean paste will add some liquid due to the nature of the product. Vanilla pods remain a fantastic choice for purists or recipes that benefit from freshly scraped seeds or the infusing of whole pods into custards and more. In most cases, though, the choice comes down to personal preference and the needs of your recipe.

Where can I buy high-quality vanilla bean paste?

If you are interested in trying vanilla bean paste for the first time, pay close attention. There are a lot of vanilla products out there that claim to be something they are not. Stay away from vanilla “flavoring”, as it isn’t truly made from vanilla beans. There are also a lot of low-quality vanilla pastes on the market. At Slofoodgroup, our vanilla bean paste is only made from high-quality, ethically-sourced vanilla beans.