Vanilla is a staple in my pantry. I use a form of vanilla every day in my kitchen in various recipes from the main dish to desserts along with everything in between. With that said, I’m picking about the type of vanilla that I use. I won’t use any immitations. I want the pure, premium, gourmet vanilla. Why? Because it makes a big difference in your recipes!!!
** Complimentary products received for review.
Recently I was introduced to The Sweetest Bean, a gourmet vanilla company based in Colorado. Their vanilla is sourced in Uganda where you can find some of the best vanilla in the world. Their partnership with locals helps the Uganda economy. That’s very important for one of the poorest, underdeveloped countries in the world. You can read The Sweetest Bean story HERE to learn more.
For this review I received 3 products from The Sweetest Bean. Over the next few weeks I’ll be using them in various recipes and posting those recipes on the TCC Blog. The Sweetest Bean vanilla products are handcrafted in small batches to ensure quality. A gourmet Ugandan vanilla bean is inside every bottle to ensure continued aging and flavor enhancement. Trust me, it makes a difference!
Gourmet Pure Vanilla Extract is one of the most frequent ingredients that I use in my kitchen. I use it when baking sweet breads, cakes, muffins, rolls, buns, pies, cookies, etc. I like using it in our homemade fruit smoothies, fruit juices and our homemade ice creams. My mother likes using it in marinades, dressings and sauces. She likes things sweet, not spicy!
A few days ago my grandchildren were over and we whipped up a batch of No-Bake Chocolate Cereal Snack Mix. They love to munch on that as an after-school snack. You can find the recipe for it on our blog. Instead of cookies, I poured it straight into a large container to let it cool and set up. Once it was set up…just break it down into smaller pieces. Store it in an airtight container or zipper closure bag for snacking!
I used The Sweetest Bean Gourmet Pure Vanilla Extract in the recipe. As soon as you take the lid off of the bottle you get a fanastic whiff of the vanilla aroma. You can tell that this vanilla is PREMIUM and 100% better than the cheap stuff you find on grocery store shelves.
We make the No-Bake Chocolate Cereal Snack Mix for the kids once every 4-6 weeks, so we make it often. This time around we all said it tasted better, smelled sweeter and was delicious. I think the premium vanilla made all of the difference! It’s gluten-free, additive free, and sugar free. Packaged in a glass, amber-colored bottle just as it should be! When not in use…store in a cool, dry and dark place like inside your pantry.
When shopping at The Sweetest Bean you’ll find Gourmet Pure Vanilla Extract, Pure Vanilla Bean Powder and Gourmet Urgadan Whole Vanilla Beans! Look for our future posts on how we used the Vanilla Bean Powder and the whole Vanilla Beans. Check out the company on Instagram too!
Disclaimer: Shelly received a complimentary product as featured in this blog post. Shelly’s thoughts and words are 100% her own unbiased opinion on the company & products being featured today. The Two Classy Chics are not responsible for prize shipment or fulfillment. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the blog’s full disclosure policy.
I too only use pure vanilla. I have never heard of this company and I shall look them up now.
I like to bake so I use vanilla often. This pure vanilla looks like it would be a good one to use.
I bet they would just make things taste better. I have never worked with a vanilla bean.