I'm low on saffron and vanilla so I go to http://saffron.com/ and get
all set to order. . . [I've ordered saffron from them for years and
got some vanilla last year]

And for some reason, this time I wonder if I should get a different
vanilla than what I got last time?

I'd have to look up what I bought-- but they were the freshest,
goo-i-est beans I've ever seen.

They offer
http://www.theposter.com/vanilla2.html
Planifolia [organic or not]
Tahitian and Mexican beans

The Tahitian and Planifolia come in 'gourmet' and 'chef' packs. The
chef pack is 1lb for $20. The gourmet is $30.

The Mexican is 3-4 times the price of the Tahitian and Planifolia.

I was about to order 1/2lb of the Planifolia for $15-- but wonder if I
ought to just get the pound and pack 1/2 of it in some rum or vodka
for safe keeping.

Has anyone compared all the varieties and found one to be a stand out?

Jim