For many, vanilla is associated with childhood. Of course, this is the most popular seasoning for baking, and we associate a happy childhood with fragrant buns and vanilla ice cream.
The vanilla plant itself is one of the types of orchids, the flowers of which are absolutely odorless. The vanilla we are used to is extracted from the pods of this flower.
Even in ancient times, the Aztecs prepared a drink from vanilla, which was attributed to magical properties. It was they who gave the Spaniards the idea of making chocolate with vanilla. Vanilla has been credited with enhancing mental capacity, healing peptic ulcers, neutralizing poisons, and relieving pain. Opium smokers have added vanilla to drugs for a more pleasant use. It was only during the reign of the British Queen Elizabeth I that vanilla began to be used for making desserts.
2000 tons of vanilla are sold and used in the world annually. It is grown mainly in Madagascar, Seychelles, Zanzibar, Oceania, Indonesia. They harvest and take care of the plants by hand, as vanilla is a very capricious plant.
Capricious vanilla blooms in the third year and only one day a year. Although the flowers fade very quickly, the vanilla aroma extracted from the pods lasts for 30 years.
Pods are collected unripe and subjected to long-term manual processing – blanch with boiling water, rubbed with wool, dried in the sun, kept in the shade.
The benefits of vanilla
Vanilla is widely used in the preparation of traditional medicine. It treats dyspepsia, nervous system disorders, rheumatism, convulsive syndrome, stimulates muscle activity, affects appetite, relieves fatigue and irritation. Vanilla improves digestion and metabolism.
Vanilla is used in cosmetology and aromatherapy, it is also recognized as an aphrodisiac – a relaxing and aphrodisiac. Vanilla in the oil helps women to normalize their menstrual cycle and relieve pain during PMS.
Vanilla essential oil neutralizes free radicals and can protect the body against certain forms of cancer. It also helps reduce fever and infections.
Vanilla harm
Vanilla is contraindicated in pregnancy and individual intolerance. Vanilla oil increases your sensitivity to light, so you shouldn’t use it before going outside.
Vanilla in products
Vanilla is incorporated into the product in different ways. The crushed powder of dried pods is added to the dough; when heated, the powder enhances its aroma.
An alcohol solution is prepared for the cream – for this, it is left to stand on crushed pods for many months. Such a liquid is not suitable for high temperatures. It is added only to cold dishes.
Vanilla essence is highly concentrated and contains the maximum amount of pods. But it’s best to use a whole vanilla pod vacuum sealed. To prepare a dish, cut it in half and peel off the grains – they give the aroma.