Slice beans in half lengthwise (carefully with a sharp knife); scrape out the inner flesh and seeds for use in recipes. Discard or find a creative use for the outer pods.

Vanilla beans will keep indefinitely stored in the tightly closed bottle in a cool, dark place. But don't refrigerate or freeze them, as they'll harden and lose flavor. High-quality Bourbon beans may eventually develop fine crystals, which indicate high natural vanillin content and good quality. The crystals are fully edible and seriously tasty — so don't miss out!