VARIETY DETAIL · GRADES A / B / C

Mexican

Vanilla planifolia

The original vanilla, native to Mesoamerica. Smooth and bold with a distinctive spicy, woody character and a subtle clove-nutmeg edge.

HeritageSpicyExtractBaking

Origin

Mexico (Papantla, Veracruz)

Species

V. planifolia

Harvest

December-March

Availability

Seasonal

Three grades, one variety.

Every grade comes from the same variety — the difference is moisture, appearance, length, and intended use. Compare them side by side to choose the right fit for your application.

Mexican - Grade A
Mexican - Grade A image
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Premium / Gourmet

Mexican - Grade A

Plump, oily Grade A beans with smooth, spicy character. Premium grade for retail presentation and direct seed use.

Moisture Content28-33%
AppearancePlump, dark, glossy
Typical Length13-18+ cm
Vanillin (by weight)1.7-2.1%
Texture / HandlingSupple, bends without splitting
Best ForWhole-bean retail, gourmet use, seed scraping
Yield / Value NotePremium price per bean; fewer beans per kg
PackagingVacuum-sealed; 1 lb / 1 kg / bulk
Mexican - Grade B
Mexican - Grade B image
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Extraction Grade

Mexican - Grade B

Drier extraction-grade beans with higher vanillin concentration by weight and the same smooth, spicy profile. The workhorse grade for extract.

Moisture Content15-23%
AppearanceDrier, thinner, may show minor blemishes or splits
Typical Length12-15 cm
Vanillin (by weight)2.0-2.4%
Texture / HandlingFirmer, less pliable
Best ForExtract production, infusions, baking
Yield / Value NoteBest flavor value per dollar
PackagingVacuum-sealed; 1 lb / 1 kg / bulk
Mexican - Grade C (TK)
Mexican - Grade C (TK) image
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Cuts / Industrial

Mexican - Grade C (TK)

Short, split, or lower-visual beans and cuts. Lowest cost basis, suited to high-volume industrial extraction where appearance is irrelevant.

Moisture Content12-17%
AppearanceShort, split, lower visual grade; cuts
Typical LengthVariable / cuts
Vanillin (by weight)Variable; bulk concentration
Texture / HandlingDry, brittle
Best ForBulk / industrial extraction
Yield / Value NoteLowest cost basis
PackagingBulk only

All vanillin, moisture, and bean-length figures shown are standard industry reference ranges and are provided for general guidance only. Actual values vary by lot, season, and origin. Per-lot certificates of analysis are available on request.

Looking to buy this variety at retail?

This page covers wholesale grade specifications. To purchase smaller retail quantities of this variety, visit our shop.