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The vanilla pod is a fruit of a tropical orchid family and
there are around 150 different varieties although only Tahitian
and Bourbon are used commercially. Tahiti
vanilla is a 20th century mutated variation of the typical
Mexican vanilla. The vanilla plant is native to the Americas,
especially around Mexico and the Caribbean. Vanilla is the
second most expensive spice in the world after saffron and
is grown in the state of Veracruz on the
gulf coast of Mexico.
How It's Made
It's a highly labour intensive crop which takes up to 3 years
between planting to flower, and a further 9 months to develop
a strong aroma, although the distinctive smell and taste is
developing during curing. After harvest, the beans are either
steamed or sun baked until they have shrunk up to 5 times
their original size. This process alone can take several months,
after which the beans are rested to complete their fragrance.
While unsuitable for a large export market, these pods are
carefully harvested and sold to gourmets the world over, willing
to special-order them direct from the source. The USA is the
world biggest vanilla fan, followed by Europe, led by the
French.
History
The process of making vanilla was discovered by the indigenous
Totonac people who kept its cultivation methods
secret for hundreds of years. Although vanilla production
now takes place in Madagascar and Tahiti,
the Totonacs still believe that the bean is a gift from the
Gods - vines are grown in private houses, figures are crafted
from it and pods have the place of honour in processions.
It was exported from Mexico in the 16th Century by the Spanish
Conquestors who believed it would be valuable as a perfume.
Soon they discovered its more memerising power as a flavour.
Because of its value, vanilla has often been subject to crime
and theft, and 'vanilla rustlers' were once a big problem
for Mexican farmers. So much so that the farmers would mark
the individual beans so they could be recognized again if
they were stolen.
Celebrating Vanilla
Worth catching is the annual Vanilla Festival,
held in Papantla, a major vanilla growing
town in Veracruz. Spectacular flying 'voladores' dances can
be seen on a regular basis, and premium vanilla products from
all over the state can be bought in the main town square.
Modern Uses
Vanilla has many varied uses, not just as a cooking flavour.
It's used in perfumes, but also medicines and has a way of
hiding strong, industrial smells like paint and rubber. One
of its biggest uses is in ice creams, yogurts and dairy products.
Because of its unique production methods, its ironic that
vanilla ice cream is often known only as 'plain'. However,
because of its huge expense, nearly all vanilla used is synthetically
produced.
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