Which of the following is NOT a component of vanilla paste?

The choice indicating that vanilla beans is not a component of vanilla paste is not accurate. Vanilla paste is a concentrated form of vanilla flavoring that is actually composed of several components. Specifically, it typically includes ground vanilla (the dried vanilla pod that has been ground into powder), vanilla extract (which is derived from soaking vanilla beans in alcohol), and sugar (which can be added for sweetness and to enhance the consistency).

Vanilla beans, on the other hand, are indeed integral to vanilla paste as they provide the primary flavor component. In a well-made vanilla paste, the ground-up fibers and seeds from the vanilla beans contribute to both the flavor and the distinct speckled appearance of the paste. Therefore, the unique qualities and flavor profile of vanilla paste stem from the inclusion of these components, highlighting why vanilla beans are essential rather than excluded.