I’ve been the lucky recipient of a huge bunch of vanilla beans quite recently. They’re of the Vanilla planifolia species from Madagascar, more commonly known as “Madagascar-Bourbon” vanilla. They were given to me neatly tied up in strings just like in this photo that I found on the internet.
I was astounded to read in Wikipedia that vanilla is the second most expensive spice after saffron due to the extensive labor required to grow the vanilla seed pods. Apparently, these Madagascar beauties retail at $60 per pound (!) at vanilla.com.
In Malaysia, these vanilla beans are sold in the supermarkets at RM27.25 (USD8) for a small jar with 3 scrawny vanilla beans. Yes, they were pathetic scrawny little things, nowhere near as long or as big as the heady-scented magical black pods that I have back home.
Then a small light bulb lit up in my head. Why don’t I share my vanilla beans with you? I mean, it would be such a shame to put all that lovely vanilla to waste, considering that I’m just a weekend baker sort of person. There’s simply no way I can finish off all the vanilla beans that I have in my stash even if I baked every weekend for the whole of 2010 and made vanilla sugar for everyone in our neighbourhood.
So that’s just exactly what I’ll do! I’m giving away 10 vanilla bean pods each to the first 10 people who leave a comment answering this very simple question:
What would you like to see more of in this blog? More travel-related stories and photos? More stories about Malaysia — its sights, its food, its culture, its people? Or is it fine the way it is now — a hodge-podge of my ‘adventures’ with my 3 passions in life: travel, children and photography?
Then please tell me the city and country where you are from, just so everyone else will get to know to which corner of the world the vanilla beans will be shipped.
Easy-peasy, right? On your marks…get set…go! :D
………………….
P.S. And while we’re on the subject, please head on over to The Girl With A Curl’s blog to read a wonderful write-up that she has in her archive about vanilla entitled “The Real Thing“.
Tags: giveaway
January 29th, 2010 at 13:40
Sali ako!!! ;-)
I love your blog as it is Mimi. I like the nice mix of articles that you post about your life in Malaysia (it’s always interesting to find out about other cultures), and about your family (especially the twins!). Thanks for all the mommy advice! Plus, we get to travel vicariously with you c/o your fabulous pictures ;-) Hugs!
Caryn, Tokyo, Japan
January 29th, 2010 at 13:41
My day is not complete without checking your website. The adventures that you share enrich my life in more ways than one.
Since I am hoping and praying that God will bless me with twins this year, I look forward to seeing more children-related stories. I believe you have so much to share about your adventures with them. I am also convinced that your other passions (travel and photography) will also be tackled as you write about your wonderful children.
Thank you so much for being an inspiration, Mimi. All the love and prayers from where we have woven a lot of beautiful memories – General Santos City, Philippines!
January 29th, 2010 at 13:52
I love your blog posts about anything under the sun. I have always been “more” fascinated with your travels though, and the adventures of the sleepless Mom in KL together with your kids. The amazing photos you share with us are reasons enough to keep checking on this blog.
January 29th, 2010 at 14:05
MIMI, will you ship to US, too? :D
To tell you the truth, I love you for who you are. I love how open hearted and passionate you are about your life, your children and your hobbies. I love how you take on every opportunity to help people. Thus, entering your blog is a travel to a house with filled with heart warming articles, ideas and pictures. I would love to see more of your travel oriented posts. Additional to that, me and my husband really enjoy your philosophical posts. I get amazed how you clearly are able to explain your thoughts. I come to your blog to read and learn! I could not suggest anything more than you are already doing!
Love,
Lola
January 29th, 2010 at 16:57
count me in!!! i am miss vanilla!!! ♥♥♥
thank you in advance. :D
i am. SO. excited!
January 29th, 2010 at 17:03
sorry, out of my excitement i submitted my comment without my answers. :)
i love all your stories and photographs. you are very inspiring, and for that i’ll keep coming back for more of you. whatever you write about, it’s always something worth reading.
blabbing, er, blogging from dublin, ireland -> littlemsfirefly
January 29th, 2010 at 17:16
More “insider” travel tips from your own travels and anything Malaysia!
January 29th, 2010 at 17:19
Oops. I’m a Jersey Girl.
January 29th, 2010 at 19:39
i love your blog the way it is, Mimi.
January 30th, 2010 at 08:18
Salam Kak Mimi,
your blog is perfect as it is…..i sooooo love reading about the kids and you travel experiences…..plus….your pictures are so sharp and beautiful…..
do keep blogging kak mimi….
follows but rarely comments…
mama safiyyah
January 30th, 2010 at 18:55
hi mimi!
do you know i am in KL right now [yeahm ypu might have known]? sayang i am the 11th to comment! but it’s ok, i enjoyed going around KL so much! we are leaving tonight. I am just taking advantage of the free internet [and the quick internet check] access here at the hotel. :)
will make kwento when i get back!
KL is so nice mimi! i loved the petronas and the KL tower!
January 30th, 2010 at 18:56
by the way, i’d love to see more posts on malaysia. i love elarning about other places!
January 30th, 2010 at 21:06
I hope I am not yet late. =)
I love your blog as it is now. I find a great balance amongst the stuff you write. Happy weekend!
February 1st, 2010 at 01:37
Aiya…I’m 4.5 hours late :-) Well anyway, I like your blog just the way it is…a mixture of everything, and of course, I love your lovely photographs. And being a Malaysian, some of your posts serves as a reminder of how lucky I am to be Malaysian, despite the many misgivings I have about my country.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:58
Congrats to the first 10 commenters! Please email me your names and mailing addresses: mimi[at]sleeplessinkl[dot]com. I’m traveling (again!) this week so I can only send out the vanilla beans next week.
February 12th, 2010 at 02:45
Hello
Need information about Vanilla? Please to visit:
Organic Indonesian Vanilla
Thank you:-)
February 12th, 2010 at 08:43
Pak Agus, sample gratis ada ngak? :)
February 22nd, 2010 at 00:21
Salam Ibu, stock Kami sangat limited sekali, mohon maaf bu belum bisa untuk sampel gratis saat ini….:-).
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:01
Oke Pak Agus :)