Story of Vanilla
Some Background about Vanilla
Vanilla is orchid plant native to Mexico and Central America. It was first cultivated in 1000 years ago and was first used in perfume before flavouring. There are two main species available: Vanilla Planifolia and Vanilla Tahitensis, while Vanilla Pompona is the least available in the market. Vanilla prices is the 2nd most expensive spice per kilogram after saffron.
Why Vanilla is Expensive?
Vanilla orchid cannot self-pollinating and it requires the orchid bees (hardly see them now) to do the job. While the flowers only open for ONE DAY and the pollination must be carried out within a 12 hours time frame, hand-pollination is required to produce enough beans.
After pollination is completed, it takes 10 months for the vanilla pods (beans) to develop from flowers. After mature pods are collected, it will be cured then dried for about 1-2 month, and then another 6 months to slowly develop the intense flavor before selling. It takes tremendous labor work and time before the black vanilla beans are available to the market after flowering.
Synthetic or Natural?
Synthetic vanilla (man-made flavour) was invented by German chemists in 1874, as an alternative of natural vanilla. But the taste of synthetic vanillin definitely cannot replace the real taste of real vanilla. Synthetic flavour is cost effective so that it is used in low-cost food production, unfortunately.
Because of the health concerns in recent years, countries over the world such as Europe has robust regulations on the use of synthetic flavours and additives. People seek for natural ingredients in their foods and the trend will continue.
More than 250 flavour compounds present in Vanilla beans to form all the interesting woody, spicy, floral, and fruity aromas and taste, this sophisticated taste can never be replaced by a synthetic flavour. The health benefits of consuming natural vanilla include anti-aging and lowering cholesterol level because of its rich in antioxidants.