Honey and Vanilla: Infused Honey, Bakes and Drinks

What vanilla is

Vanilla comes from the cured seed pods of a climbing orchid native to Mexico. Today, much of the world's vanilla is grown in Madagascar, with other sources in Tahiti, Mexico, Uganda and Indonesia. The pods are cured for months to develop vanillin and hundreds of other aromatic compounds.

Vanilla flowers are traditionally hand-pollinated outside Mexico, which is one reason real vanilla is so expensive.

Types of vanilla

Here is how common forms compare:

What makes pure vanilla extract

In the United States, pure vanilla extract has a legal standard of identity. Under 21 CFR 169.175, it must contain at least 35 percent alcohol and a minimum amount of vanilla bean extractives. Imitation vanilla uses synthetic vanillin instead.

Pure extract gives a fuller flavor in honey dishes, while imitation can taste flatter.

How to make vanilla bean honey

Split one vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the tiny seeds. Stir the seeds into one cup of honey, then push the pod into the jar. Seal and let it infuse at room temperature for one to two weeks, turning the jar now and then. The seeds stay suspended as little dark specks.

Use a completely dry bean and dry jar, since water can cause fermentation.

• 1 vanilla bean, split
• 1 cup honey
• Scrape seeds into honey
• Add the pod
• Infuse 1 to 2 weeks

Ways to use vanilla honey

Drizzle vanilla honey over Greek yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, fresh berries or vanilla ice cream. Stir it into tea, coffee or warm milk. Spread it on buttered toast or use it in a cheese board. It also makes an elegant gift in a small jar.

Our Greek yogurt with honey guide has more ideas.

Baking with honey and vanilla

Vanilla smooths honey's flavor in cakes, cookies and quick breads. When replacing sugar with honey, use about three quarters as much honey, reduce liquids slightly and lower the oven by 25°F. Add vanilla with the wet ingredients. Our baking with honey guide explains the details.

Honey vanilla whipped cream

Whip one cup of cold heavy cream with one to two tablespoons of honey and half a teaspoon of vanilla until soft peaks form. It tops pies, berries, hot chocolate and pancakes. Honey whipped cream holds a little better than sugar versions.

Honey vanilla latte

Stir a teaspoon of honey and a drop of vanilla extract into a shot of espresso, then add steamed milk. Or make it with chai or rooibos for a caffeine-light version. Our article on rooibos tea with honey covers that tea, and our honey in coffee guide has more coffee tips.

Custards and puddings

Honey and vanilla are lovely in crème brûlée, panna cotta, rice pudding and custard. Heat milk with a split vanilla bean, then stir in honey off the heat. Honey can make custards slightly softer, so follow a recipe designed for it.

Which honey suits vanilla

Raw Clover Honey, harvested in New York State, is mild and clean, letting vanilla be the star in infused honey. Raw Orange Blossom Honey, from Florida, adds a creamsicle-like citrus note. Raw Blueberry Blossom Honey gives a fruity twist that is lovely over berries.

Storing vanilla beans

Keep vanilla beans wrapped in plastic or in an airtight jar at room temperature, away from light. Do not refrigerate them, since that can dry them out or encourage mold. Used pods can be dried and buried in sugar to make vanilla sugar.

Vanilla sugar versus vanilla honey

Vanilla sugar is easier to sprinkle and bake with, while vanilla honey is better for drizzling and drinks. Both are good ways to use spent vanilla pods after scraping out the seeds.

The takeaway

Honey and vanilla make everything taste warmer and rounder. Infuse honey with a split bean, use pure extract in baking, and pair with a mild honey so vanilla can shine.

Honey and vanilla in breakfast

A spoon of vanilla honey transforms everyday breakfasts. Stir it into overnight oats, swirl it through Greek yogurt with berries, or drizzle it over French toast. Our article on honey and oats has more breakfast ideas, and vanilla honey works in nearly all of them.

Honey for your vanilla

Start your vanilla honey with Raw Clover Honey or Raw Orange Blossom Honey. Save with a 3 jar or 6 jar pack of any honey, and orders over $50 ship free. Shop in our store.