Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Hi,

Vanilla Saffron Imports (LINK) seems to be a wonderful source for reasonably priced vanilla and saffron. Better than most internet sources, they actually have a street address and phone number. (949 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
415-648-8990)

Fuzzy, have you checked them out or tried their products?

Tim

I'm not Fuzzy, but I'll respond.

I found these guys years ago and have ordered from them. Here's the review I wrote about them on TOBB back in 2005.

"Got my order the other day...made scallops in saffron cream for dinner tonight. Here's my take...

Is it the best saffron I've ever had?...no. Is it as good as what you can get in the supermarket?...yes. They only ship magenta, which is important, and although the threads are not in pristine condition (they've been shortened and SLIGHTLY crushed by their packaging method), they are fresh enough. Given the cost of saffron on this website versus supermarket prices, I'd say this is a bargain.

I also bought vanilla beans, but haven't tried them yet. I received eight cryovaced beans about nine inches long each. The country of origin is New Guinea. And they cost $8. Seems too good to be true, but I will tell you I can tell through the cryovac that they are moist and appear fairly oily.

Got to say, the "middleman" argument would seem to make a lot of sense as it applies to this website. The proof will be in the crème brûlée."

Amy

Tim,

That's where I buy all my vanilla and saffron. They do vanilla extract, too, in 3-4 different styles. If you're there in person, they also have ice cream (vanilla, saffron, and other flavors). And you get a free vanilla bean with each ice cream cone.

We buy from them all the time because they're about 80% cheaper than any other source we know, and the quality is pretty good. One pound of vanilla beans for $28!

Thank you Fuzzy and Amy,

I have been looking at their website for a number of years and have been impressed with the information and prices. I have also mentioned them on eGullet a number of times. There has never been any response on eGullet; that is probably another example of East River fever.

I am in need of some saffron and brown bottles for homemade vanilla extract. Finding larger brown bottles is getting impossible.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

Tim

Tim- How large do you want these brown bottles and what closing device do you prefer - screw cap, cork, etc.? This place, http://shop.tps-online.com/browse.cfm/2,387.html has a minimum order of $75 but you may be able to locate a pharmacy supply warehouse near you; they have an incredible assortment of containers. I assume if it's 'drug grade' it's 'food grade'.

Wino,

That is a great idea. I visited a local pharmaceutical dispensary and they only had 1 1/2 ounce bottles. I was thinking about 4 ounces to a pint. Any type of cap will due for me.

Thanks again.

Tim

Beanilla carries 4 and 8oz. amber glass bottles.

American Science and Surplus has loads of bottles in odd sizes for good prices. And oodles of other neat stuff.
Also coupons for folks in the area.

Hi,

Here is the ONLY place to buy amber bottles: Link to Specialty Bottle

4 oz. $0.57
8 oz. $0.86
32 oz. $1.08
Shipping is very reasonable.

Large, soft, Madagascar Vanilla Beans cost $0.80 each in my local (wrong-side-of-the-tracks) grocery store. Vodka is reasonable. This will all be ready by Christmas.

Tim

Tim, so are you getting the vanilla beans from that website? I've never actually bought beans but with all the icecream I make have been tempted. Thinking.

Did you see the paella pans? http://www.theposter.com/paellapans.html