The Vanilla-Beans brought into this country range in price about as follows:
Mexican, $3.50 to $6.00 per pound.
Bourbon, $3.00 to $5.50 per pound.
Guadalupe, $3.00 to $5.50 per pound.
Seychelles, $3.25 to $4.50 per pound.
Tahiti, $1.75 to $2.50 per pound.
And a large variety, such as Java, South American and others, ranging in price from $2.75 to $5.00 per pound.
These prices represent wholesale prices and vary from time to time.
The use of Tahiti Beans, coming from the Islands of Tahiti, has grown very largely in the last few years. They are much used by manufacturers making the cheaper extracts.
The Vanilla-Bean dries out very quickly, but if properly cared for and protected does not lose its strength. In fact, the flavor greatly improves with age.