Premium Bourbon-Madagascar Vanilla Beans - 7 beans Reviews

• Food TV is making me hungry...

  
  By A281NPSIMI1C2R on 2006-03-26
  Superior vanilla beans come from the Madagascar "Bourbon Islands," Mexico and Indonesia. It took me years to get up the courage to buy a vanilla bean.
  
  When I did, I found the flavor was truly superior to vanilla extract. While you don't want to use vanilla beans in everything (too expensive!), you will definitely want to consider using them in custards and when you make ice cream.
  
  Vanilla enhances everything from creamy porridges to custards and cakes. The list goes on and on. There are so many uses for vanilla. Vanilla is derived from the seductively aromatic vanilla bean.
  
  Vanilla beans are actually the cigar-shaped seed pod from a fragrant climbing orchid native to tropical America.
  
  Yes, vanilla extract is much more economical, but using vanilla beans is rather gourmet. The extract is created from chopped vanilla beans that are soaked in an alcohol/water solution. It takes about 100 beans to make 1 gallon of extract.
  
  I've been using pieces of vanilla beans, but on Food TV
  they always split these down the middle and also scrape
  out the vanilla for superior vanilla flavor.
  
  ~The Rebecca Review
  
  

• Love the beans, love JR Mushrooms

  
  By A2KP45DO3RY4RG on 2007-01-11
  I bought these and the greatest thing besides the awesome price and the fabulous beans is that the VP or CEO or some such lovely gentleman actually emailed me and thanked me for my purchase and when I responded, followed up again with a nice response! How nice is that in this day and age!
  
  I used these beans in my home made eggnog this year and it was out of this world. I first scraped the bean and then threw the pod in and left it there till the nog was gone. (not long)
  
  I also use one when I make my hot chocolate "syrup" (Lots of bittersweet chips, melted in milk and a little haff and half and the bean scraped and the pod - once again left in - I mske hot chocolate out of it by adding more milk to taste and a little bitty bit of brandy...decadent...oh my yes!)
  
  This is a great buy, great beans, great company! Buy with assurance!
  
  

• Very Disappointed

  
  By AP4OLIN1FINAA on 2007-03-14
  I placed an order for these beans on March 4th. On the 14th march, I did not receive them as yet. Since the occasion that I needed them for has passed, I sent an email to JR to find out the problem. When he said they were not shipped as yet, I send 2 e-mails requesting cancellation-i sent 2 to make sure they got it and stopped the mailing of my item!
  He responded VERY hastily, as used sarcastic comments in his reply.The tone of his reply made me feel as if I did not know anything!!
  
  I am very disappointed with this whole ordeal!!
  
  

• Not the highest quality, but still a great deal

  
  By AT17P51XUTGM2 on 2007-02-27
  I bought seven beans for seven dollars, and was a bit unimpressed with the aromatic quality. They didn't have that strong complex aroma right out of the bag that bourbon beans are known for. That is not to say that the inside of the bean isn't aromatic. After all, it's the guts that really count. Even though these beans don't seem to be as aromatic as other beans, this is still a KILLER DEAL!!! I recently purchased one bean from a popular brand "Spice Islands" for seven dollars. An unbelievably aromatic bean, but seven times the cost of these beans!?!?!? I think I'll just buy these and use twice as many as the higher quality beans. I'm still making away like a bandit!
  
  

• Kudos from an avid baker-

  
  By AKVAOGJB9TBN5 on 2007-02-27
  First off, top notch customer service- there's a personal touch that's rarely seen in on-line purchasing! Please keep it up!
  
  Now for the goods: These vanilla beans are a fantastic value. Seriously, I wasn't expecting much- I was hopeful given the other reviews- but I've learned some hard lessons to not expect such high standards of quality- especially when it comes to gourmand items- These beans are even superior to those I can get from my local provider (at three times the cost, mind you.) I've even ordered online from two other sources (one recommended by Martha Stewart, lol)- and these beans are plumper and more supple than those other pricier providers. (Plump and supple- always a good thing.)
  
  If you're on the fence- I urge you to go for it. You owe it to your recipes to use quality indredients. You will not be disappointed. I know I'm not.
  
  Thank you kindly!
  
  
• JRMUSHROOMS
  By A2J30WC69TUHBI on 2006-06-16
  JRMushrooms is 100% quality. Everything I order from this supplier is the best. I have never once been disappointed. I also want to add that if you ask a question, you get a courteous and prompt reply.
  
  Clorinda Lordan
  Huntington Beach, CA
  
  
• Quality Company, Quality Product
  By A3K9Y2HAXZ137I on 2006-10-14
  I can't say enough good things about JR Mushrooms. These are top-quality chef inspired vanilla beans. I got them primaraily for my creme brulee.
  
  Another plus was the free shipping which really helps a struggling young chef like myself. The only slight dissappointment was that there was no "Best Creme Brulee" recipe enclosed. No problem for me as I've memorized the procedure.
  
  I can say this: You won't be dissappointed by this product. Use it in whatever calls for vanilla, even ice cream!
  
  
• First Rate Quality
  By A130KRZXMR76K on 2007-03-13
  These beans were really fresh and lower cost than other suppliers. The beans were shipped free and promptly.
  
  
• this review is to replace one I made earlier.
  By A2OLCA6KBG2YP0 on 2006-08-31
  I bought the Bourbon-Madagascar beans from Java Guy and I love them. He even sent me a recipe.
  My order got lost in the mail but It finally arrived and no fault of Java Guy . I would like to apologize to Java Guy. I know he is honest. I have asked that Amazon replace my first post with this one. Sincerely :Wanda Rinehart
  
  
• I have never seen another bean like this
  By A1OBD6XH6NZ8RX on 2007-04-05
  These are not the shriveled scrawny beans you find in a jar in the grocery store. They are amazing. Don't tell JR - but he isn't charging enough!!
  
  
• Excellent Beans - Best Seller I Ever Came Across
  By A211GAU31W87A2 on 2007-05-28
  These Beans are the very best. And you will not believe the kindness and caring of the sellers. I used mines for Vanilla Sugar. Coffee is much better now.
  
  
• "GREAT" Vanilla
  By A6WO40KP5BAPO on 2007-02-22
  My wife was thrilled when she received this vanilla. (Valentine's Day was easy this year!)
  
  
• Excellent
  By A824U98LCSCGO on 2007-02-25
  First order arrived damaged by the U.S. Post Office.
  
  Order was promptly replaced at no charge.
  
  Fast shipping to San Francisco
  
  Delicious plump fragrant beans. Excellent product. Excellent customer service.
  
  
  
• vanilla beans
  By A1DUZRHLVYKQEQ on 2007-01-10
  I was very pleased with my order of vanilla beans.
  The beans were soft and smelled wonderful.
  I will order this product again.
  
  
• great price
  By A1OWS0L862PI6R on 2007-05-07
  i was having problems finding good reasonably priced beans out of season...here they are!
  
  
• These People are the Real Deal
  By AZTWPY2TNDK4B on 2007-05-22
  The product was as advertised. Fresh and wonderful. This company is a pleasure to deal with. I will buy other products in the near future.
  
  
• Excellent pods and value!
  By A1A2QBFLIR5HCW on 2007-08-12
  Shipping time was fast, I got my order in about a week and the beans were quite lovely. I could even smell the vanilla when I picked up my mail even though I couldn't pin point what/where it was coming from my huge pile of packages.
  
  My pods were shipped in a bubble mailer, so they could easily get damaged while being handled in the mail. On the other hand, they arrived just fine. No squashed pods or oil smears AND the shipping was free. My pods also arrived in great condition, ver fresh (moist and pliable - and not at all dried out or fragile) so absolutely no complaints for my own personal uses. They'd have to go through a wringer or twisted in a pretzel to be crushed or snapped apart and that could happen sometimes when the mail gets sorted, so that's something to think about if you need these for presentation purposes.
  
  I will be making future orders with this company for sure, especially when the winter months roll around for home made hot chocolate and eggnog batches! Thank you so much for the wonderful value and great service!
  
  
  
• great beans, great buy
  By A25UEZ835934RU on 2007-08-26
  can't imagine a better buy if their free shipping for beans promotion is still on.
  
  
• nice looking beans
  By A3EZ3LLABUZK0O on 2007-10-28
  Received my order of vanilla beans faster than expected. The beans look really nice - I had been buying them from a specialty shop which no longer carries them so finding a reliable place to buy good quality beans has been a challenge. Plan on purchasing more in the future.
  
  
  
  
• Very good quality beans. Good fast service.
  By A3FKWRM1JHG87C on 2008-01-02
  Very nice beans, wasn't sure how they would compare to the nice beans bought at Penzy's Spices but they were very comparable (same). I am very happy with my purchase and can't wait to use them up and get more.
  
  Have recommended JR Mushroom's - vanilla beans to all my friends.
  
  
• Exactly as advertised
  By A1317XFZ6XLZPO on 2008-01-07
  The vanilla beans arrived promptly, exactly as advertised. I am now making my own vanilla extract. As an added bonus, a recipe was included with the beans. I would buy again.
  
  
• Seems like fine quality
  By A273PTX1KD95FU on 2008-01-13
  Item was packaged well, and seems to be of good quality, based on my limited knowledge of vanilla beans. Though I love pure vanilla extract, I'm new to using the whole bean. I withheld one star just because the flavor, when using the entire bean (skin included), had a subtle "grassy" taste. This may be normal, or due to my inexperience and/or improper preparation of the bean, but I thought I correctly followed the directions I had read elsewhere. Regardless, I'm happy with this product. They certainly smell incredible, and will make your storage area smell delightful.
  
  
• moist and beautiful
  By A2M6ONQQ29LRSQ on 2008-01-25
  I loved the beans I received.
  They were plump and moist and made my pastry cream infinitely better than when I use vanilla extract.
  Shipping was quick as was communication.
  
  
• Wonderful Vanilla Beans!
  By A2U0W6B8IVRVXI on 2008-03-16
  I have to agree with most everyone else's reviews. These are really wonderful. I had them laying on my counter for a number of days before using them but they made my kitchen smell absolutely divine.
  
  They are much more pleasing to the eye than the tiny amount of dry shriveled up very expensive few you can buy in a jar at a grocery store. These are moist and plump.
  
  100 percent vanilla extract has become so expensive it makes me cringe so I am using these vanilla beans to make my own extract (lifetime supply?). You can find recipes to make your own extract online. It's very easy to make but you do have to let in sit for about 8-12 weeks. This would made wonderful gifts when finished. I am also using it to flavor sugar and plan to us it homemade ice cream this summer.
  
  I have bought food items from this seller before. They are very reliable and you get what you order in the mail very quickly. I have really been surprised by how quickly I have received my orders from them. Wonderful products AND service.
  
  
• the sweetiest thing
  By A25J4ISX1CHW5U on 2008-03-19
  Very fast shipping, detailed recipe come along with the product. Above all, the beans smell so good. But why when I bought it, the price is 12.95? While right after I placed the order they changed it back to 7 bucks?
  
  

• Pure Bourbon Madagascar Vanilla Extract 4 oz.
• Whole Black Winter Truffles .45 oz.
• Premium Bourbon-Madagascar Vanilla Beans - 16 beans
• HIC Porcelain 24-Ounce 7-1/4-Inch Coeur a La Creme Dish
• Oxo Good Grips 9-Inch Locking Tongs with Nylon Heads