A Word from Prova Gourmet’s President, Muriel Acat-Vergnet:
Prova is a story of family and passions, which has been written for three generations.
Daniel, my father has raised the small family business to the big leagues, to make it an international leader in its specialties. Entrepreneur at heart, bold and creative, he imagined innovative aromatic solutions, knowing how to surround himself with talents, keys to our success.
Heir for three generations of family and entrepreneurial values, I am both proud to carry the torch of our company and proud of our historical anchorage in the land of France from where we continue our spin-off in the world.
The quality of the links we forge, the close relationships based on mutual respect, and mutual aid have always been and will always be our strength. This is how I see the company, a human adventure that is both complex and exciting.
Our values reflect who we are and are naturally expressed around taste.
The taste to dare: our rallying cry, the taste for products: the passion for our professions, the taste of others and ours: a particular attention paid to each person, customers, suppliers, collaborators, and then more than ever the taste of life: that of respect for the earth and men.
My role is to continue to grow our company, write new chapters and prepare the next generation. That is why I will continue to care and act ethically for our own and others.
Those who, one day, will take the reins of the company, will do the same. I have immense confidence in my team
Prova Gourmet’s Process
“The Vanilla Handbook”
Whether it be Madagascar, Tahiti or Papua New Guinea, vanilla is a quality guarantee which appeals to and reassures the end consumer. Vanilla bean seeds contained in the long and supple beans will enhance aromas and visual appeal in desserts, revealing either woody, almondy, powdery or fruity notes.
Vanilla is what makes the flavor identity of French classics such as Mille-feuille, flan pâtisserie, éclair, macarons & crème brûlée. Vanilla can also be paired in savory recipes with fish, sauces, game meats & foie gras.
Continue below to learn about the queen of spices: cost, cultivation, quality, use in application, and more.
P.I
Understanding Vanilla’s Cost:
A Long & Traditional Growing Method
Growing Worldwide Demand
Madagascar Dependence
Madagascar is the predominant supplier of vanilla accounting for about 80% of the global vanilla production. The country’s local political and social context will also have a significant impact on production and pricing.
Government-Set Pricing
Speculation
Weather Impact
Vanilla production remains an unstable crop as it is subject to the one & only, Mother Nature. The unstable possibility of environmental conditions can create inconsistent production in seeing typhoons, heavy rains, plant exhaustion, etc. Climate change continues to increase the intensity and frequency of the natural occurrences, making vanilla such a treasured spice.
Discover Prova’s Vanilla & Origins
Shop All Prova Gourmet
P.II
Identifying Bean Quality
01
Size
14cm (5.5in) is the preferred quality bean size. Anything lower are kept for extraction.
02
Aspect
Black, shiny & non-split.
03
Texture
Supple. Should allow a knot without breaking.
04
Humidity Level
Between 28-35% depending on the origin. A very moist bean is not neccessarily a sign of quality. Too much humidity in the bean might be the result of some curing steps that were skipped creating a bacteriologoically unstable product.
05
Vanilla Rate
At 1.2-1.8% the bean will be stable and create the perfect organoleptic balance. A vanillin content beyond 2% is exceptional and will sometimes materialize in the form of “frost” (white vanillin crystals formed on top of the skins that gives the frosty look).
06
Constant QA
All five of these steps are practiced like clockwork. The quality assurance aspect is one of the most important pieces in this process and Prova Gourmet maintains high standards for constant quality assessment.
P.III
Getting the Best of Prova Gourmet’s Vanilla Products
Vanilla Beans
Infuse as long as possible in a fat base (cream or whole milk) to release all essential oils from the vanilla.
Infusion Tips:
Split the bean in half, scrape the seeds out and steep them with the emptied pods in the liquid base. Heat up at 70° C (beyond the temperature that would give undesirable notes of cooked milk) for 20-30 minutes tops. Let it cool and ideally sit overnight in the fridge to extend infusion time and flavor development. Strain.
Recommended Dosage:
1 to 3 bean per liter (depending on bean weight).
Maitre Vaniller Pro Tips:
Optimization
Post-infusion beans will still retian some aromatic properties. Rinse the emptied skins off with cold water, dry them out and grind them into a powder.
You may also mix the beans with sugar to make your own vanilla sugar.
Preserving
Vanilla bean is a very sensitive product that requires adequate conditions to preserve its quality and flavor intensity.
Keep beans in an air-tight container such as a glass jar or a metal tin, away from sun light and at room temperature.
Avoid plastic containers that could alter the organoleptic properties of the bean.
Extracts & Vanilla Pastes
Made from pure vanilla, extracts and pastes offer a convenient and exonomical alternative to beans. Ready to use, they will achieve the full intensity of vanilla, with thinner or thicker consistency to suit different mixes.
They can be used in all sorts of applications, hot or cold: pastry cream, custards, ice creams, mousses, genoises, cakes, sauces, ganaches…
Recommended Dosage: 2% by weight.
Whole Bean Ground
Made with whole beans, whole beans ground (also called vanilla bean powder) will achieve the full bean intensity without any added liquid. Ideal for macaron shells, tart shells, etc.
Recommended Dosage: 0.05-0.1% by weight. Increase powder quantity for a Chantilly or meringue.
P.IV
Add Value to Your Products & Brand:
Consumers nowadays more than ever are looking for quality, all natural & origin-specific products.
Highlighting the origins of the ingredients will add value to your product offerings and brand perception.
Use pure vanilla to increase sales (beans, extracts, paste or powder) even in simple desserts. Maximize oppotunities in informing your customers about your care for quality ingredients, in your pastry showcase or on your restaurant menu. For example: Flan pâtisserie made with Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, Tahitian vanilla ice cream, and more.