May 27, 2022 edit:
BUY THEM. Kwanzaa 2020 was a hit, and 2021? I was stressed OUT! So I bought the beans AGAIN, but this time in December... and ain open the package yet. OK. Sealed, in the pantry in the dark? Totally FINE.
Great value, great product. BUY THEM Grade "BEEEEES," Baby!
November 2020:
My typical Winter Holiday gifting is none at all, with a bit of sharing home-baked goods every now and then. I am not Scrooge, I'm just generous year round. This year has been incredibly interesting, and I am gifting a few folks who have made the past 10 months... palatable (thank 2020, not me!).
The 4 oz. of Slofood Vanilla Beans I received October 8, 2020 yielded 54 beans, and this may be significant, as 10/8 may be the end of last season's stash, meaning I may have more beans for the usual buck due to slightly lower moisture content per bean. You see, I read somewhere that 10/15 is the the new harvest's shipping date, but that may not be set in stone. They looked good and "oily" while I made my slices, so I am happy and hope for the best!
In any case, December 20 is "attractive bottling day" (Week 10 of the vanilla bean/rum infusing), and I am already READY thanks to Mr. Bezos and Dollar Tree. I will test the strength Week 8 and will top off the rum bottles, if necessary.
Good luck everybody. The aroma started out heavenly!
FEB 2024:
Use EVERY BIT. I know what a lil "8 fold" vanilla smells like in big ol 1917 apple pie with a butter/lard crust. You can, too!
God bless you in Heaven, Grandma, but Walker's? Only for the church picnic!
Happy picklin!
10 Madagascar vanilla beans, grade B vanilla
