Vanilla Bean Extract Kit - 10 Madagascar Vanilla Beans 6 - 7 inches long - Includes Instructions, Glass Bottle & Lid - For Cooking, Baking, Homemade Extract

The jury is out. I bought this at the end of November and I am still waiting for the 8 weeks or the year in this case to pass. I love the bottle and the presentation. I am not so sure about the beans. I split them as directed and they are still in the steeping stage as I call it. I shake it once a week and keep it in a cool dark place. The color is getting a little darker but I have to say it still smells like vodka and not so much like vanilla extract. Particularly since two weeks later I bought 10 more beans (same grade same name) from a different company and my own bottles and followed the same process. When I opened the sealed pack I could smell the vanilla right away and when I open those bottles after one month they smell like I expect them too (a wonderful vanilla aroma). The beans from this company are just not the same quality or at least the one's I got are not.

This kit is nearly perfect for making vanilla extract. It has the vanilla beans, a screw-cap glass bottle, and instructions labeled on the bottle itself...couldn't be easier. Just add your favorite liquor to extract the vanilla and you're good to go. You might also want to use a paring knife and cutting board.PROS:1) The beans are vacuum-packed, so they were moist when taken out and definitely seem fresh.2) The bottle is the perfect height for the beans, and is included. Instructions are also on the label of it.CONS:1) I wish an extra bottle were included, even if they had to charge more for it. The kit comes with 10 vanilla beans (enough to make 20 oz of extract), but with only one 10 oz bottle. I had to buy extra bottles in order to use the rest of the beans.

This is my second order for this product. The vanilla beans are vacuum packed so they were soft, supple & very fragrant. The bottle & beans come packed in a sturdy cardboard cylinder that keeps them well protected. I made vanilla extract with my first order & it was so good I knew I was through buying the small, overpriced bottles from the supermarket. Today I'm starting my second bottle of extract. I know I will be a regular customer of this company because they & their product are top notch. I highly recommend them.

The beans seem fresh and have a very nice aroma. There are actually more beans included in this kit than what are necessary to make two, 8 oz, double-fold bottles of vanilla extract. That was nice, because I was able to use the extra beans to refresh a previously made bottle that had been partially used. The batch is 1 month old today, and already has a deep, dark color. Only 11 months to go! By the way, be sure to check out some of the vanilla makers on the Internet for additional tips.

Shipping was on time and the packaging was very nice. I'm making a liter of vanilla extract for this year, so the cute little glass container it came with will be the perfect size for keeping in the cupboard with my other spices.This first batch has only been steeping since July 10th...but the smell is out of this world. It has the color of a nice tea right now. I expect by September, it will be a nice rich dark expresso color and perfect for all my baking needs. You have to try these beans for your vanilla extracts, they are PERFECT!

A couple of the vanilla beans had a white powdery substance so I contacted Stavoren customer service for an exchange. They got back to me right away and Kristin, at customer service, sent out a replacement the following day. The replacement beans were a nice quality, pods on the thinner side, but soft and easy to scrape out the vanilla seeds.FYI this item in non-returnable and if you need to exchange the product, it’ll cost another $5+ bucks to ship it back to them.

I bought myself a vanilla kit several yrs. ago. It was so much fun making and using it. Along with Vodka, this will be a Christmas present for my granddaughter. I love the packaging.

This is my 1st time buying vanilla beans and making my own vanilla. I was impressed by how they were tightly sealed to keep them fresh. (They were not dried up at all!) and they really smelled fantastic when I opened them up! They also came in a very nice heavy glass bottle. I think this is a very good buy considering the price of the beans and getting a nice bottle to make your vanilla in along with it basically for free!