Vanilla paste??

I really like vanilla paste. I use it in the same amount as extract in recipes. I like the look of it in food, since the caviar can be seen throughout. It has no alcohol in it, and is thick. I really like it, but it isn't an absolute must-have, if you don't have it. Just use extract.

I never use extract, I'll scrape vanilla beans or use the paste. There is actually an obvious taste difference, I've never done a vanilla frosting for someone and have them ask me to sacrifice the taste for no black dots, lol.

I actually order them from Madagascar, but I order in large cases, so it's pretty pricey, (they last for ages though!).

If you do a google search for madagascar vanilla beans, you can probably find them for about $10 for half a pound.

The grocery stores here sell them for $14 for 2, the mark up is insane.

I have ordered from vanillasaffron.com, and get a really good price on pastes, beans, extracts. There is also vanilla.com (I believe) and they are all about fare trade stuff. Oh, Beanilla is another place to get beans.

Many sell them on eBay.

I love vanilla bean paste.  Whilst it is pricey actual vanilla beans are exhorbitantly priced where I live.  I use paste in foods where I want a pronounced vanilla taste, such as in vanilla ice-cream.  In cakes that have other flavourings I use extract.
 

I use Madagascar vanilla bean paste for  Vanilla cakes and cupcakes and buttercream.  Its decicious and adds intense flavour,  I buy it from lakeland.co.uk

I ordered a huge container of paste from Amazon.  It was the Nielsen Massey brand.  However, you can order bulk vanilla beans from JR Mushrooms.