Do you know what vanilla is? In fact, this is not vanillin at all, as some tend to believe. A bag with a cheap surrogate bought in a store is just a semblance of the famous spice. Vanilla is one of the most expensive spices in the world, which consists of dark brown pods twisted into elastic and oily sticks up to twenty centimeters long. On the surface of plants of the best varieties, you can find a white bloom of vanillin crystals, which absolutely does not harm human health, but, on the contrary, speaks of the beneficial properties of the product. If we talk about vanilla plants, then they are perennial vines of the Orchid family (from the Latin vainilla - "pod"). So why is this product so appreciated all over the world?
By the way, the cost of 1 kg of vanilla pods is within 8,400 rubles, the price of one pod is on average 75 rubles. ($ 2? 2.5).
- First, vanilla is difficult to grow as a crop due to the need for artificial pollination, in which only 50% of the flowers can bear fruit.
- Secondly, despite the limitless possibilities of man, it was not possible to reproduce exactly the features of vanilla by means of synthetic production of vanillin. Indeed, thanks to the special composition (oils, heliotropin and some components), the spice has its inherent durability and subtlety of aroma.
More than a hundred varieties of vanilla are known in the world: for the most part, they are all decorative, and only three types are grown for the production of spices:
- Tahitian vanilla;
- Plant with low quality short pods;
- A plant with long pods of the best quality.
Interesting Vanilla Facts:
- Vanilla was once used by the Aztecs to improve the taste of dark chocolate, and later became the subject of taxes. Her homeland is Mexico and the central part of America.
- After the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, the Spaniards, Austrians and Italians learned about the beneficial properties of vanilla. It ended up in other European states only at the beginning of the 19th century. Only a few were fortunate enough to appreciate the taste of the famous spice - due to its high cost, vanilla was available only to the wealthy nobility.
- Antalaha Prefecture in Madagascar is still considered a vanilla paradise and a world center for spice production. Today it is sold in the amount of two thousand tons annually. The spice is grown in large quantities in the countries of South America, Indonesia and China.
- In Russia, this spice began to be used in baking during the reign of Elizabeth I (1602). In France, it found another use - it was added to smoking tobacco; in other European countries, vanilla was considered a fun stimulating drug.
- When stored properly, the spice retains its original scent for a long time. There have been cases when it remained the same fragrant even after 36 years. The most recognized is Mexican vanilla, followed by Ceylon and Bourbon. But bad varieties can lose their aroma, smell like heliotrope, therefore they are of poor quality and, accordingly, their cost is much lower. Look carefully at the sticks: if they look light and cracked, but they feel too brittle to the touch, this indicates a lack of valuable oils in them, which can only happen if they are not properly prepared or stored.
How to store vanilla pods?
The spice should be stored by wrapping the pods with cling film, removing all air. Next, place them in a waterproof glass container and store in a cool, dark place. It is unacceptable to freeze in the refrigerator, otherwise they will dry out and may crystallize. However, if the sticks become dry, then they are restored in warm water to obtain vanilla sugar.
How to use vanilla?
Due to the bitter taste of vanilla, you have to grind it well into powder and add powdered sugar. So, for 500 g of sugar, only one stick is required. Vanilla is used as an additive in dough, puddings, soufflés, preserves, compotes, salads, and vanilla syrup is used by pastry chefs to impregnate ready-made biscuits. The spice is also used for the preparation of liqueurs. Too little vanilla does not happen - in case of an overdose, instead of a sweet taste, it can turn out to be very bitter.
Vanilla food
- Sugar: obtained by mixing vanilla with powdered sugar.
- Vanilla extract: small pods are infused in a solution of alcohol, resulting in the formation of a colorless brown liquid. The extract is added to creams and desserts, it cannot be hot processed.
- Vanilla Essence: A subspecies of the extract with a large number of pods.
- Vanilla Powder: Prepared from dried and ground pods. Even strong heat will not destroy the aroma.
Vanilla composition: vitamins and calories
The pods contain essential oils, tanning oils, glucovanillin, resins, anise aldehyde and acid. They contain B vitamins (B1, B6, B3, B5, B4, B2,). The benefits are also due to the presence of iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese.
Calorie content of vanilla
per 100 g - 287 kcal:
- Proteins - 1, 2 g
- Fat - 12.5 g
- Carbohydrates - 0.1 g
The benefits of vanilla
Vanilla is the main ingredient in traditional medicine. It is used to treat dyspepsia, ailments of the nervous system, rheumatism, seizures. The spice can stimulate muscle activity, improve appetite, relieve irritation and stress. The benefits of vanilla lie in its positive effect on the processes of digestion and metabolism.
Vanilla is widely used in aromatherapy and cosmetology, it is considered an aphrodisiac. Warm sweet aroma relaxes, gives a feeling of peace of mind, relieves bad mood, envelops with warmth and a sense of peace.
Vanilla oil benefits women by normalizing the menstrual cycle, relieving pain and PMS (premenstrual syndrome).
The antioxidant effect is to neutralize harmful free radicals and protect a person from certain forms of cancer. With vanilla essential oil, you can quickly relieve fever and eliminate infections. The manifestation of sedative properties affects the ability to treat inflammation of the digestive, excretory, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Watch an educational video about vanilla from the program "What is it made of?" You will find out why this spice is so expensive. Detailed process of growing, harvesting and drying:
Vanilla harm
Vanilla, in addition to useful properties, is characterized by some contraindications, which is why the product is harmful. The spice can not be used during pregnancy, as well as individual intolerance. Vanilla oil is considered a photosensitizer (increases sensitivity to light): after using it, avoid direct sunlight on the skin.
Otherwise, vanilla is beautiful - the exquisite aroma of spice is still appreciated all over the world, from the time of the existence of the Aztec Indian people to the present day.
