I recently asked my fellow eGullet Society members where I could get the best deal on vanilla extract. This inquiry was quickly redirected: several members extolled the virtues of making your own vanilla extract. So, I went ahead and procured some vanilla beans from Vanilla Products USA, which has an eBay store. They sell a variety of types (defined by place of origin) and grades of vanilla beans. Since I'm using them to make vanilla extract, I got "Extract Grade" aka "Grade B." The ones I got a