Gourmet Vanilla Bean +13cm M

UGANDAN VANILLA - EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY AND AROMA

On the verdant slopes of western Uganda, not far from the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, grows a rare vanilla with exceptional notes.

Just as in Madagascar, due to the lack of pollinating insects in sufficient numbers, this delicate orchid needs to be hand-pollinated and with precision.

With the help of a thorn, the matchmakers will tear off the cap of this wonderful flower and make the male and female organs meet.

The volumes are derisory, but it must be said that we are here looking for a black vanilla that can compete with the most beautiful aromatic pallets of Madagascar.

Nevertheless, thehe annual quantities are up every year. Ugandan producers have the chance to start the adventure of vanilla, which is becoming a real source of export income other than traditional crops (coffee, cotton, cocoa, maize, rice, ...).

Today, it is a real privilege for me to be able to offer you such vanilla from Uganda. If you choose to discover my selection, i assures you that this will be a real olfactory discovery..

I look forward to your comments after testing it in your desserts and savoury preparations!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE OF THIS VANILLA?

Uganda has two rainy seasons and the flowering takes place in March-June and September-October two harvests The main harvest in January and the main harvest in July.

The fibre of the Ugandan vanilla is similar to that of the Comoros, wide and flat. Its coat is rather matt

Uganda vanilla is of the same species as that of Madagascar (Vanilla Planifolia) but it has a slightly less greasy and therefore more matt appearance with more woody, leather, peat and sometimes even juniper notes. The pods are deep black or dark brown and slightly oily. Sound frank nose of dried fruits and cocoa is very much appreciated by my pastry chef friends who use it in their ganaches and other creams.

For several years now, the region's cooperatives have been optimizing their specifications and methods in order to offer an Planifolia possibly appreciated on the international market.

Its specificity lies in the fact that it is the vanilla ideal for savoury dishes! It will know how to sublimate duck, salmon, prawns or even foie gras.

WHY SHOULD WE DISCOVER THIS GREAT VINTAGE OF UGANDA?

This vanilla is a culinary journey, it is easy to find common ground with the madagascar vanilla because of its intense flavour with notes of cocoa fruity.

By trying the Ugandan vanilla that I have carefully selected, you will discover a vanilla bean that is becoming a serious competitor to the Malagasy vanilla and whose price is decreasing year after year thanks to the increase in production and know-how.

It is a vanilla bean that is rising in quality. It will be necessary to wait until 2025 for the producers to perfectly control its refining

RECIPE IDEAS FOR USING YOUR UGANDA VANILLA BEANS :

Being more full-bodied than other vanillas, it is perfectly recommended for savoury dishes. It will marry wonderfully with white or red meatsshe will be able to sublimate the meat as well duck that your fish and crustaceans.

Nevertheless, Ugandan vanilla is a great way to enhance your cocktails and desserts. Feel free to associate it with strong spicesThe most popular varieties are the Wild Pepper from Madagascar, the Timut Pepper from Nepal, and the Tonka Bean from Brazil.

The ideal is to let it infuse longer than the Madagascar vanilla bean so that it delivers all the subtleties of its fragrance.

Here is a small selection of recipes in which this exceptional vanilla will be able to magnify its aromatic talents :

Cocktails / Drinks : a real vanilla rum or rum liqueur

Fish / Crustaceans : cod vanilla colombo, vanilla scampi

White and red meats : chicken with vanilla and pineapple, veal blanquette with vanilla, duck breast lacquered with spicy honey and Ugandan vanilla

Let it also surprise you by incorporating it in a red wine sauce or to sublimate blanquette and stew!

Desserts : dessert cream, crème brûlée, whipped cream, chocolate-based dessert, or even some fruity desserts such as roasted pineapple, compotes,..

The chiefs have already adopted it! I invite you to test the wild flavour of this vanilla by incorporating it into Alain Ducasse's " Tian de Saint-Jacques et fennel ".

Or to discover its aromatic power by marrying it with a vanilla bean from Madagascar in " Caramelized Pineapple with Vanilla Butter" "by Joël Robuchon

It's up to you to share your recipe ideas with me!

All that's left for me to do is to wish you a great tasting!

Click here to find out how to store your vanilla beans