Congo Vanilla Beans – Grade A Whole Pods for Extract & Baking
- Sale price
- $11.99
- List price
- $14.99
- You save
- $3 (21%)
Sourced from the lush growing regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, these Grade A whole vanilla beans bring something genuinely special to your kitchen. With a rich, creamy vanilla base layered with hints of chocolate, dried fig, and earthy undertones, DRC vanilla beans offer a depth of flavour that stands apart from the more common Madagascar variety. Whether you're making homemade vanilla extract or baking from scratch, these pods deliver.
✨ Features
- 🌿 Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo – 2023–2024 crop, traditionally cured Planifolia vanilla beans
- 📏 Size: Average length of 5–6 inches (13–16 cm) per pod
- 🖤 Appearance: Dark brown to black, oily skin with a plump, moist texture and seeds packed full of flavour
- 🍫 Flavour Profile: Rich creamy vanilla with notes of chocolate, fig, and a warm earthy finish
- 🔍 Triple Inspected: Each batch is inspected at the farm, before bulk vacuum sealing for transport, and again at the warehouse before your order is packed
- 🧴 Vacuum Sealed: Packed to a tight 28 HG vacuum in a custom industrial pouch to lock in freshness
- 📦 Shelf Life: Approximately 2 years when properly vacuum sealed
💛 Benefits
- 🏠 Perfect for homemade vanilla extract – plump, oil-rich pods mean a more flavourful extract with less effort
- 🎂 Elevates everyday baking – from cakes and cookies to custards and ice cream, the complex flavour profile adds real depth
- 🍳 Versatile in the kitchen – works just as well in savoury sauces and marinades as it does in desserts
- 🎁 A thoughtful gift – a great choice for home bakers, food lovers, or anyone who appreciates quality ingredients
- ✅ Quality you can trust – hand-picked by local farmers using traditional curing methods, then rigorously checked before it reaches your door
📋 How to Use
- For vanilla extract: Split the pods lengthwise, place in a glass jar, and cover with your spirit of choice (vodka, bourbon, or rum). Seal and store in a cool, dark place for at least 8 weeks.
- For baking: Use a sharp knife to slice the pod lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the back of the blade. Add the seeds directly to your recipe. Drop the spent pod into a jar of sugar to make vanilla sugar.
- Storage tip: Keep beans vacuum sealed or store in a zip-lock bag inside an airtight glass jar, away from heat and direct light.
📐 Product Specifications
- Species: Planifolia
- Grade: Grade A (Gourmet)
- Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
- Crop Year: 2023–2024
- Average Length: 5–6 inches (13–16 cm)
- Colour & Texture: Black/dark brown, oily, moist
- Packaging: Custom industrial vacuum pouch, sealed at 28 HG
- Shelf Life: ~2 years when vacuum sealed
🛒 Add Congo Grade A Vanilla Beans to your cart today and taste the difference that hand-picked, carefully cured pods make in your baking and extracts.
Why Closiist?
- Sustainability: Clozist is committed to eco-friendly practices. We offer a wide range of sustainable and upcycled products, reducing your environmental impact.
- Supporting Local Businesses: By shopping at Clozist, you're supporting US-based businesses and contributing to local economies.
- Unique and High-Quality Products: Clozist curates a collection of unique and high-quality products, often from smaller brands that you might not find elsewhere.
- Ethical Sourcing: Clozist prioritizes ethical sourcing and fair trade practices.
- Convenience: With free shipping on orders over $49 for members of our Reward Program, it's easy to shop online and have your products delivered to your doorstep.
- Impact: For every order we offset 7kgs of CO2 and rescue 2 plastic bottles from the Ocean. Check our impact here
Environmental Impact
Our efforts to reduce our CO2 emissions generated by the sending of your orders mean that today Clozist is Carbon Positive on its shipments.
With the help of Greenspark we voluntarily offset 7kg of CO2 and remove 2 plastic bottles from the oceans with each order at no extra cost to you.
Why 7kgs (15.43 lb)?
We took the average Carbon Emission of a 2lb package ground sent from NYC to LA and multiply that number by 4.
Why 2 bottles?
Millions of plastic bottles pollute our oceans every year, two standard bottles are a daily recommended water intake. We're committed to cleaning them up.
About Vanilla Bean Kings
Meet Vanilla Bean Kings: From a Basement Dream to Madagascar’s Fields.
What started in 2014 with a single kilogram of Madagascar vanilla has grown into a global mission for quality and fairness. Founded by a passionate baker who realized that premium vanilla was often overpriced and under-sourced, Vanilla Bean Kings was built to bridge the gap between Malagasy farmers and your kitchen.
They don’t just sell spices; they build relationships. In 2018, the team traveled to the SAVA region of Madagascar to meet their suppliers firsthand, ensuring that sustainability and fair trade aren't just buzzwords, but a way of life. When you choose Vanilla Bean Kings on Clozist, you are supporting a supply chain that empowers farmers, ensures traceability, and brings the world’s finest "black gold" directly to your pantry.
Shipping & Delivery
Orders are usually dispatched within 2-3 business days.
The shipping rate is calculated and displayed at checkout. Free shipping is available for orders over $49.00 for Shakers members of our reward program, and with no minimum, for Makers members (We can't offer free shipping when the lowest shipping cost exceeds $10).
Shipment confirmation and order tracking:
Once your order is fulfilled, you receive a tracking number to follow your package by email. Allow 24-48 hours for the carrier to update the tracking number in its system.
We might ship your order in more than 1 package. In that case, you receive a tracking number for each shipment.
Your order might be delayed in case we experience a high volume of orders. If your order fulfillment is delayed, we will let you know by email asap.