Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of LAFAZA/Field Trading Company, Inc. This post may have affiliate links but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

LAFAZA Vanilla Review and Giveaway

It has been a while since I have done a confession so here it is: I LOVE vanilla. I love the smell in candles, scents and cooking. I love the smell and it always makes me think of warm cookies.

I have undertaken this adventure in learning how to cook recently and part of my education has led me to vanilla and the many forms in which it is available. This is where LAFAZA Vanilla enters my life. I was sent LAFAZA Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans – 2 beans, LAFAZA Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract – 2 oz, LAFAZA Pure Ground Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla – 1 oz and LAFAZA Vanilla Sugar – 8 oz for review.

LAFAZA immediately got my attention due to the sustainability model that they use, a sustainable vanilla supply chain. I am sure you are wondering why is that even notable? By using a sustainable vanilla supply chain it allows LAFAZA to partner with local farmers that plant forest-grown vanilla resistant to disease. This method employs smaller farmers and allows them to work on their own land. Due to the techniques used 50%-60% of a farmers cured beans are of a premier grade. This also allows the profits from the vanilla to stay in local communities in which it is grown. For us, as the customer’s, we can purchase these vanilla products knowing that the vanilla can be traced from origin to final sale, as well as feeling good knowing our purchase continues this sustainability cycle. If you would like to read in more detail about their sustainability model, click here.

LAFAZA Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans – 2 beans: These are approximately 6 inches long and while I have not opened them yet they smell so good and fresh! I think we will be making a very rich vanilla ice cream from these.



LAFAZA Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract – 2 oz: This little bottle packs a flavorful note to almost anything I chose to add it to. I have NEVER smelled vanilla that smells as good as this one did. This is a Kosher Certified blend and is produced from ethically sourced all-natural Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla. The recipe that makes this extract includes water, alcohol and vanilla extracts – no other added ingredients!



LAFAZA Pure Ground Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla – 1 oz: This was not only pleasant smelling but the most beautiful brown color I have ever seen. I plan to use this the next time I make chocolate chip cookies. This comes from sun-cured and slow-dried Madagascar Bourbon beans that removes nearly all the pod moisture. The dried beans are then ground into a powder that is pure concentrated flavor and all vanilla.



LAFAZA Vanilla Sugar – 8 oz: I can not say enough about how good this Vanilla Sugar was! When I was young I would get a spoonful of sugar to rid myself of hiccups – I wish this was around in those days! I wanted to add it to everything I use regular sugar on. I used this to sweeten some whipped cream and it was the best whipped cream I have made to date. I am going to try to be conservative in my use of this, but I do not expect that to last long-term.



All the LAFAZA Madagascar Vanilla products are grown in forest systems and are slow-cured which is what gives it a deep vanilla flavor. The vanilla beans are graded from A-1, A-2, B. The A-1 vanilla beans are the finest of beans produced in Madagascar in that year – think of these as the top of the top. The grade A-2 vanilla beans have the flavor of the A-1’s but could be slightly drier or have very small imperfections, think of these as almost perfect. Finally the grade B are still good beans, with strong aromatics with deepish reddish-black pods. These pods are also known as “Extract Grade” or “Manufacturing Grade” and are widely used in the food, beverage industries. This is the Grade that is used as the base for LAFAZA extracts and pure ground vanilla, so really good pods.

I had never received any other vanilla products other than the ones you can purchase locally, so this was a nice change. This has opened my mind and my taste buds to the possibilities of other specialty extracts. I am eager to further use these products in my normal everyday baking – I encourage you to give them a try for yourself.



Click here to learn more about LAFAZA/Field Trading Company, Inc.



You can find LAFAZA/Field Trading Company, Inc. on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram



To purchase LAFAZA/Field Trading Company, Inc., click here or on Amazon

GIVEAWAY: LAFAZA/Field Trading Company, Inc. is offering a Vanilla Sample Pack to my readers! (1) lucky winner will be selected at random to win 1 each of the following: LAFAZA Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans – 2 beans, LAFAZA Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract – 2 oz, LAFAZA Pure Ground Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla – 1 oz and LAFAZA Vanilla Sugar – 8 oz making a $ 47.00 value! I will be randomly choosing 1 person on October 21 (10/21/2015) to receive this sweet pack! Open to residents in the US only. To enter complete the entries below! Winner will be notified by me by email and prize will be fulfilled by LAFAZA/Field Trading Company, Inc. Remember you have 48 hours to claim prize, or I will choose another winner. GOOD LUCK!!!

Win a Vanilla Sampler pack!



Like this: Like Loading...