I just received vanilla from a "private purveyor" in Mexico. They look almost as though they have…

Thanks.. I knew that you would know. I was going to write the guy a letter.. but, I guess I will order more. At $2.50 each, it might be about the only way we’re going to get vanilla beans.

@SweetDriver1 – When they are fresh, vanilla pods look sorta kinda like long green beans. They need to be fermented first and this is what they tend to look like after fermentation. They look fresh (which means they squish). When they are old they often get dried out. So, do not fear – this is what they should look like.