One vanilla manufacturer's website said "they will last at least 12 months in a sealed, air-tight container in the refrigerator".

Joe

I have some that I bought about a year ago, and they have an expiration date in November 2009 (in a sealed test tube).

Thanks! I'm glad to read this. I bought mine about a year ago. I wanted to make some vanilla extract.

I heard thatVanilla beans shouldn't be stored in the refrigerator, as it ruins their taste. Diana55

They should be fine as long as they are still pliable and not dried out.

Vanilla beans should be kept in an air-tight container in a cool dark place and NEVER in a refrigerator or freezer according to Patty Elsberry author of Simply Vanilla

Yesterday, I did read that they shouldn't be kept in the frig or freezer. Too bad I didn't read that a year ago. It makes them more prone to mold.

I bought a big batch of beans, divided them into quantities of 2-3 and vacuum sealed them. It's been more than a year and when I opened the last package they were as fresh, fragrant and pliable as the first beans I used.

Carol

Well mine were in a sealed baggie in a sealed jar..and now they are dried out...I'm going to put them into a bottle of yet to be determined alcohol...
They smell good..and I actually used one not to long ago to flavor cream for ice cream. Probably wasn't near as pungent and flavorful as it could have been..but still did the job..now tht used bean is with other used beans in a container of sugar.

I made my vanilla extract today. I was very happy to see the bean was still moist on the inside. I chopped maybe an inch off of one end that looked a little dried out.