Vanilla Beans
bean. Mature beans turn black and shrivel up after they are picked.
Types of Vanilla
Vanilla has three major strains:
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Vanilla Planifolia is grown in tropical areas along the Indian Ocean, such as Madagascar and Indonesia.
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Vanilla Tahitensis is grown in the South Pacific.
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Vanilla Pompona is grown in the West Indies, Central and South Americas.
Some other commericial types of vanilla include
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tonka bean. The tonka bean smells and tastes like vanilla but has been shown to cause liver damage in lab animals, and has been banned in the United States by the FDA
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Tahitian vanilla is from the tahitensis strain, and is possibly a hybrid of the planifolia and odorata strains.
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West Indian vanilla is made from the pompona strain.
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French vanilla actually isn't a type of vanilla at all. It was named after the French style of making ice cream custard base, using vanilla pods, cream, and egg yolks.
Uses of Vanilla
* Culinary: Vanilla is the second most expensive spice in the world,
drinks.
* Cosmetic: Vanilla is a popular scent when it comes to
sprays for your home.
* Medicinal: Vanilla has been shown to work as an aphrodisiac. It can also aid in curing fevers, and increases levels of adrenaline.
Top Sellers
Related Guides
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Baking Supplies Honey
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Cooking Salts
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Spice Blends
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Sweeteners
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Fair Trade Vanilla
