I have a package of vanilla beans that I bought at Costco, apparently in 2010 - I know.
I forgot I had them and then was watching the Pioneer Woman on food network today and she was making vanilla bean scones. This made a tingle in my mind that I had some vanilla beans somewhere back in the dark scary corners of my pantry. Yes. Because I really wanted those vanilla bean scones - they looked so mmmmm.
So, they say, "best before AUG 25-2010." They are Kirkland Rodelle vanilla beans. Two vials, never had been opened. They are pliable and not brittle. They smell nice, but not exactly "vanilla-y." I scraped two of them and put the seeds into the cream as the recipe said. The cream is starting to smell really delicious and vanilla-y..ish.
Do they go bad? Am I going to pay huge consequences by eating vanilla bean scones made with old vanilla beans - or am I safe?