If using a vanilla bean, do you mean the seeds of the pod, when you say the core of the vanilla bean?

There's also a certain amount of pulp that comes out with the seeds when you scrape the pod. The whole mess is called "vanilla caviar" by people who say such things.

I would say yes as well. And after you take out the seeds, don’t throw out the pod! Bury the empty pod in your sugar container. It’ll flavor your sugar wonderfully for a very, very long time.

Hey Cindy! I can't speak for the author, but my guess would be yes!