The Vanilla Journal

Stories from Indonesia's
Vanilla Belt

Origin profiles, curing deep-dives, and sourcing intelligence for buyers and vanilla enthusiasts.

26 articles
Sourcing Guide Feb 18, 2026

Vanilla Extract Manufacturing Guide: Grade Selection, FDA Standards, Extraction Process and Sourcing

For vanilla extract manufacturers, the raw material decision determines whether your operation is structurally competitive. This guide covers the FDA standard of identity, the extraction chemistry that determines product quality, why Grade B beans almost always beat Grade A on vanillin-per-dollar, and the complete extraction process from bean prep to HPLC verification.

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Industry News Jan 10, 2026

Why Vanilla Is So Expensive: The Structural Economics Every Buyer Needs to Understand

Vanilla is the second most expensive spice on earth and the price can swing by hundreds of dollars per kilogram in a single season. This guide covers the three unavoidable production constraints that set vanilla's cost floor, the supply concentration risk that drives volatility, and the vanillin-cost calculation that should drive every purchasing decision.

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