Vanilla

Every year we purchase a good quantity of vanilla beans. Over the years we've made some pretty darn good vanilla.

Interestingly Cook's Vanilla is made in my home town and I know the owners well as we've lived here for 50+ years. Up until a few years ago some of the vanilla sold in Tahiti was produced at Cook's Vanilla. The raw beans were exported to California, vanilla extract was manufactured, then bottled in the bottle you would see on the shelves in Tahiti. Then mainly North Americans would purchase not knowing the vanilla had already reached the shores of home.

I've attached a simple but very good recipe for vanilla. So next time your in French Polynesia purchase some raw beans and make a batch of your own.

As long as the container is sealed customs doesn't have a problem.

Vanilla Extract.pdf

I've had good luck just throwing the beans in the liquor whole, although last time I started splitting the beans with a knife prior to soaking, nothing more, no chopping or scraping.

I once said "yes" to a customs officer when asked if I had agricultural products. "Vanilla?" she shrugged, "is that an agricultural product?"

Do they have the liquid vanilla? If so, are we able to take it on the plane home?

Do they have the liquid vanilla? If so, are we able to take it on the plane home?

Yes and yes

I love the paste ...also the powder.

Yes and yes

Do you have to check it through with your luggage...not carry on?

Do you have to check it through with your luggage...not carry on?

Either is fine. It is sealed ....... declare it, it will be fine.

Either is fine. It is sealed ....... declare it, it will be fine.

I thought liquids had to be under 3 ounces to carry on? We have to fly from LA to CLEVE...would we need to pack it for domestic flights?

I thought liquids had to be under 3 ounces to carry on? We have to fly from LA to CLEVE...would we need to pack it for domestic flights?

Nothing

Nothing

confused? can we bring as much liquid vanilla carry on as long as it is sealed? Or do we have to pack it in our suitcases?

Also curious about this.... would love to bring some vanilla back.

The usual airport rules would apply. The rules are similar to TSA rules.

Pack your vanilla in your suitcase if you don't want it confiscated!

The usual airport rules would apply. The rules are similar to TSA rules.

Pack your vanilla in your suitcase if you don't want it confiscate

 

 

I thought so...thank you!!!

I would very much like to bring back vanilla pods but am on a super time crunch when landing at LAX. So...only having carry on, I must declare those pods and this would potentially hang me up in customs or no ?

I would very much like to bring back vanilla pods but am on a super time crunch when landing at LAX. So...only having carry on, I must declare those pods and this would potentially hang me up in customs or no ?

No, they really won't. Just mention you have some vanilla and they'll wave you through. That's been my experience, several times. It's not an agricultural product, it's a "spice", really.

I would very much like to bring back vanilla pods but am on a super time crunch when landing at LAX. So...only having carry on, I must declare those pods and this would potentially hang me up in customs or no ?

Just make sure the pods have been sealed, usually this is done by the vendor and they typically vacuum seal the pods. Let the vendor know about your situation, they will take care of it.

Terrific! So what do you claim them as per the declarations, seeds or write it in as vanilla or what ?

Just call it vanilla. Do not declare seeds. Calling it seeds will delay you as you try to explain what vanilla seeds are to the customs agent.