After so many years of eating vanilla-flavored cakes, vanilla-flavored ice cream and other vanilla-flavored foods, have you ever questioned or wondered whether vanilla is really the kind of plant painted on the product packaging? But why do the plants painted on the outer packaging of many vanilla-flavored foods look so much like mint? Is there really a vanilla in this world that exudes such a seductive fragrance? You don't have to doubt it! It's called Vanilla, and it's this black thing that doesn't slip away.
Vanilla
Vanilla, a perennial tropical vine of the genus Vanilla of the orchid family, has a cylindrical swirling stem with aerophyllary rooting (a nondeterminal root that grows above the ground and is exposed to air, which can absorb gas or support the upward growth of the plant body and has the effect of retaining water). The ovoid leaves are thick and succulent. Its flowering period is from April to June, and the flowers are yellow-green. Native to southeastern Mexico and the tropical rainforest regions of Central America, vanilla prefers high temperatures and humid heat, making it ideal for growing in humus-rich, loose, and well-drained, slightly acidic soils.
Vanilla, a perennial vine, needs to be attached to other plants.
Where does the fragrance of vanilla come from?
Vanilla is known as the "King of Spices". The highest commercial value, the best quality, and the most cultivated is mexican vanilla. The pod orchid introduced from Indonesia in 1960 in China is also planted in Yunnan, Guangxi, Hainan and other regions. Even so, vanilla production is low and the price is still very expensive.
The flowers of vanilla orchid are almost scentless, so where does the soft and elegant fragrance of vanilla come from? This is thanks to the fruit of the pod orchid, its pods.
However, fresh pod fruit has no fragrance after ripening, and only after steaming, fermentation, sun drying and other processes will the rich aroma appear. And this fragrance can be maintained for a long time.
How to use spices
Vanilla is a valuable natural spice that can be used in all walks of life. It is rich in a variety of amino acids needed by the human body, as a spice added to food to help the body a lot, our common vanilla ice cream, vanilla cake, vanilla chocolate, vanilla cookies, etc., widely used, but also known as the "king of food spices" reputation.
At the same time, because the fragrance of vanilla is good and long-lasting, many cosmetics, cigarettes, medicines, etc. have added this natural flavor, which is very popular with the public. However, it has to be said that with people's pursuit of beauty and growing demand for spices, vanilla seems to have become in short supply, and in recent years, international prices have become increasingly high, becoming a veritable and precious spice.
Speaking of which, you can guess whether there is any vanilla in the vanilla ice cream we usually buy for three or four dollars.