giselleacttwo Posted July 12, 2013 #1 Share Posted July 12, 2013 I'd read some previous threads in this forum and would like to bring some vanilla beans home. Does anyone know about what I can expect to pay for some? I did a price check at my local grocery store- $12.00 for a single bean. :eek: I'm hoping they are cheaper in Tahiti? Are they easy to find? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vjh Posted July 12, 2013 #2 Share Posted July 12, 2013 Bora Bora, Moorea are cheaper than Papetee. You should be able to get 6 beans for $10-12 and readily available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suncityjim Posted July 12, 2013 #3 Share Posted July 12, 2013 Are you planning to bring these beans into the U.S.? They may be confiscated at Customs. Plants and plant parts are a no-no, I believe. Just my $0.02. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie MeMe Posted July 13, 2013 #4 Share Posted July 13, 2013 About 10 years ago on a Tahitian Princess cruise, we bought vanilla beans while on a shore excursion (supposedly from the same supplier as the White House). Wanting them safe and where I would not forget them, I placed them in the safe for the next 8 days. My My I can still smell in memory that wonderful scent that filled the room every time I opened the safe.:) I tried making vanilla sugar somewhat successfully but my daughter tried to make vanilla out of the beans.:rolleyes: I certainly would think about whether the doggies at the border would allow them in (I would bet not because they smell even to a human nose) and check it out before buying. The grower might have a way of sealed package or something that is allowed. I have brought spices back to my daughter from other countries but they were packaged and I think that is allowed. Know before you go -- All countries are very protective of their agricultural interests these days and we have to do our part (or big fines and they make you dispose of the items:eek:). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twin123185 Posted July 13, 2013 #5 Share Posted July 13, 2013 No problem bringing vanilla beans into the US. Moorea pineapples either!!! Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlightMedic555 Posted July 15, 2013 #6 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Returned 2 days ago and had no issues in bringing back both vanilla powder and the beans. Most of the beans are sold in either a vacuum pack or a cigar tube looking holder and have about 6 beans labeled as about 20 grams. In all honesty the airport, before you go through security in PPT had the best price at 1,000 Francs (about $12) for the tube. In the duty free shop after security the same tube was 1,800 Francs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikiintahiti Posted July 15, 2013 #7 Share Posted July 15, 2013 (edited) I buy it by the Kilo, last year I bought 2 kilos. The best quality and the best price if your buying in quantity will be on Moorea at this place. Just to the east of the Moorea IC. I've bought on several different islands and at the airport, this place is best for freshness, quality & quantity. Edited July 15, 2013 by Tikiintahiti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twin123185 Posted July 15, 2013 #8 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Thanks Tiki I was going to ask you where on Moorea you have been buying your vanilla! Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikiintahiti Posted July 15, 2013 #9 Share Posted July 15, 2013 This place has their own vanilla plantation on Moorea. The best stuff is nick named "Moorea Gold". Sounds like pot to me :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donray Posted July 15, 2013 #10 Share Posted July 15, 2013 They must be packaged for export to legally bring them back into USA. They could be found and confiscated if not marked for export. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikiintahiti Posted July 15, 2013 #11 Share Posted July 15, 2013 I've bought kilo after kilo in FP, never been marked "export" ...... never have had it taken, have always declared. It is sealed in a vacuum pack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twin123185 Posted July 16, 2013 #12 Share Posted July 16, 2013 I have brought back vanilla every time I go and nothing has ever been marked for export. Have not had a problem. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie MeMe Posted July 20, 2013 #13 Share Posted July 20, 2013 Thanks for reminding me to buy my vanilla. I bought pineapple jam/jelly and other kinds of jellies for my DGD. I can't remember where they came from. Anybody know where to buy yummy jams/jellies? Probably will only go to Tahiti and Moorea this trip on stopover to New Zealand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twin123185 Posted July 20, 2013 #14 Share Posted July 20, 2013 The best by far is at the Agricultural School on Moorea. Stuff lasts forever too. I have a jar I am finishing up that I brought back 18 months ago. I had brought back around 8 jars. The Pineapple/Vanilla and Pineapple/coconut are my favorites. Load up! Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psyfi Posted July 21, 2013 #15 Share Posted July 21, 2013 I have to second the pineapple vanilla jam from the agricultural school. I am rationing out the last little bit and wishing I had bought more! I bought vanilla on Moorea from the place Tiki talked about (also bought monoi and tetanus oil there too, which I am also rationing!) and from a farm on Tahaa. Personally, I can't tell the difference. Both make amazing vanilla sugar to put on fruit (fantastic on pineapple) and in baking, and vanilla syrup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twin123185 Posted July 21, 2013 #16 Share Posted July 21, 2013 I also buy a case or two of Rotui pineapple juice at the juice factory on Moorea - that needs to be rationed at home for sure! The pineapple jam is also awesome on an eggo with whipped cream! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MauiCats Posted July 21, 2013 #17 Share Posted July 21, 2013 I have to second the pineapple vanilla jam from the agricultural school. I am rationing out the last little bit and wishing I had bought more! I bought vanilla on Moorea from the place Tiki talked about (also bought monoi and tetanus oil there too, which I am also rationing!) and from a farm on Tahaa. Personally, I can't tell the difference. Both make amazing vanilla sugar to put on fruit (fantastic on pineapple) and in baking, and vanilla syrup. psyfi, I had never heard of monoi or tetanus oil before so I had to look them up. I found that monoi comes from Tahitian gardenias which sounds very nice (We have a couple of these plants in our yard and they are very fragrant.) However, when I looked up "tetanus oil" all I could find was that tetanus is a bacteria which causes lockjaw. Is there a tetanus oil that I don't know about? Or, could you have meant Tamanu oil which comes from the Tamanu tree which is native to Tahiti? I found out about this at a site called Natural Skin Care. http://www.naturalskinrepair.com/tamanu-oil.html http://tahiti-iti.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psyfi Posted July 28, 2013 #18 Share Posted July 28, 2013 So sorry tiki! Stupid spellcheck! Monoi oil and Tamanu oil! The Same place you get the vanilla makes small batches of both oils and they are wonderful. Great for treating sunburn and the Tamanu has anti-bacterial qualities - heals cuts fast, stops bug bites from itching, etc... We did not buy any of the mass produced versions of monoi but I might have to do that when this stuff runs out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane.in.ny Posted September 17, 2013 #19 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I buy it by the Kilo, last year I bought 2 kilos. The best quality and the best price if your buying in quantity will be on Moorea at this place. Just to the east of the Moorea IC. I've bought on several different islands and at the airport, this place is best for freshness, quality & quantity. Can you recommend a place to buy vanilla beans in Papeete? Any suggestions on how to tell the quality of one over another? TIA Diane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikiintahiti Posted September 17, 2013 #20 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Go to the Le Marche in Tahiti, about 2 blocks from the cruise ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane.in.ny Posted September 17, 2013 #21 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Go to the Le Marche in Tahiti, about 2 blocks from the cruise ships. Thanks for all your help Diane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thyme2go Posted September 17, 2013 #22 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Does the Agricultural school sell vanilla beans, monoi, or temanu oil? Is it accessible from where the ships dock? TIA :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikiintahiti Posted September 17, 2013 #23 Share Posted September 17, 2013 is about 4 miles from the tender drop off location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thyme2go Posted September 17, 2013 #24 Share Posted September 17, 2013 What are the options besides walking from the ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikiintahiti Posted September 17, 2013 #25 Share Posted September 17, 2013 There will probably be a stand or 2 at the tender location that has some vanilla. If you want to go to the AG school you will need to take an island tour, rent a car or take a taxi. Some have been known to walk it ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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