Gourmet Grade A
Gourmet Vanilla Beans — Grade A
Gourmet Grade A vanilla beans are our premium whole-pod product from Uganda. The pods are supple, oily and aromatic, which makes them the natural choice wherever the bean itself is scraped, presented or infused rather than processed into extract.
Grade A beans are selected for appearance and moisture as well as aroma, so they behave predictably in pastry kitchens, in retail packs and in visible applications where the pod is part of the product.
Suitable applications
- Pastry, patisserie and fine bakery, where pods are split and scraped
- Ice cream, custards, crème anglaise and dairy desserts
- Restaurant and hotel kitchens using whole pods on the pass
- Retail and gift packaging of whole vanilla beans
- Small-batch vanilla sugar, pastes and infusions
Typical product characteristics
- Botanical species
- Vanilla planifolia
- Primary origin
- Uganda
- Appearance
- Whole, unsplit pods, dark brown, flexible and oily
- Typical moisture
- Higher than extraction grades; confirmed per lot
- Aroma profile
- Rich vanilla with chocolate and dried-fruit notes
- Sorting
- Sorted by length; length ranges available on request
Vanilla is a natural agricultural product. Exact moisture, vanillin and microbiological parameters are confirmed by the specification and certificate of analysis for each available lot.
Conventional and organic quality
Gourmet Grade A is supplied as conventional vanilla as standard.
Certified organic lots may be available subject to current stock, certification status and customer requirements.
Packaging and order quantities
- Vacuum-packed bundles inside food-grade cartons
- Wholesale quantities from 1 kg upwards
- Retail-size packs available for resellers on request
Delivery from our Czech warehouse across the EU
Gourmet Grade A is normally held at our warehouse in Prague, so European customers receive courier or pallet delivery from within the EU with no import formalities on their side. Pricing on the B2B price list is quoted per kilogram, excluding VAT, EXW our Czech warehouse.
Direct supply from Uganda
For larger recurring programmes we can also arrange shipment directly from Uganda. Direct supply suits industrial volumes where lead time is planned in advance and the buyer handles or delegates import formalities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Gourmet Grade A and Extract Grade B?
Grade A pods are selected as whole, supple beans with a higher moisture content and a presentable appearance, so they are used where the pod is scraped or shown. Grade B pods are drier and less uniform in appearance and are intended for extraction, where only the aroma compounds matter.
Can I order a sample before a wholesale order?
Yes. Samples of the currently available lot can be sent so you can assess aroma, flexibility and appearance before committing to a wholesale quantity. Ask for a sample in your quote request.
How should Grade A beans be stored?
Keep pods vacuum-packed or in an airtight container at a stable room temperature, away from light and strong odours. Refrigeration is not recommended, as condensation encourages surface mould.
Are bean lengths guaranteed?
Beans are sorted by length, and the length range of the available lot is stated in the lot specification. Because vanilla is an agricultural product, we confirm the range for each lot rather than guaranteeing it in advance.