Vanilla, a Mexican Treasure
Using vanilla in its natural form will transform the way you bake. Find out how it all started for this cherished Mexican spice and how you can remake some of your favorite desserts.
Adapted from Chef Mariana Coria for Otro Stylo
It's a black, thin, aromatic pod containing small flavorful beans that has given its name to one of the most popular ingredients in the world, vanilla, one of the most expensive spices in the world.
La vainilla is a gift from Mexico to the world. Already cultivated when the Spanish Conquistadores arrived in Mexico, pre-Columbian cultures used it to scent chocolate. It was first taken to Spain, and from there it became popular throughout Europe and the world. However, Mexico is no longer the only producer of vanilla. But, while it has lost some of its worldwide market share to other vanilla-producing countries like Indonesia, China and Madagascar, Mexican vanilla continues to be the favorite of chefs and foodies alike.
Healthy Mexican Recipe: Fish Mixiote with Parsley
The reason why this spice is so expensive (a single pod can cost up to $1.50) is because it is difficult to grow. The vanilla plant is an orchid-type flower as well as a fruit. It requires hot, humid, tropical weather, common in Papantla,Veracruz, the greatest producer of vanilla in Mexico. To grow the beans, farmers must pollinate the plants manually, and their time is very limited since each orchid only blooms for about 8 hours once a year. When the pods are cut from the plant, they have no flavor or scent, and their trademark aroma is emitted only after the pods undergo a process where they are ripened, dried, and cured. Vanilla is then made available for consumption in the form of a pod, as an extract, or as a powder. The best way to preserve vanilla pods is to put them in an airtight container so they don't lose their flavor, aroma and qualities. Another way is to put them in a jar with powdered sugar, which will help preserve the pods in perfect shape and will also scent the sugar, which can later be used in desserts.
Authentic and Delish: Chicken Stuffed with Squash Blossoms in Guajillo Sauce
Soda companies are some of the biggest buyers of vanilla in the world, using it to make soft drinks. Vanilla is also one of the most popular ice cream flavors worldwide. This is why this magnificent spice, without which the world of bakery and confectionery would not be the same, is one of Mexico's greatest legacies to the world.
Here are some dessert recipes that show off what this spice has to offer:
This luscious concoction asks for lots of cream, seven eggs, and only half a vanilla pod. Leave the other half for the second flan you'll be sure to make. ¡Buen provecho!
Old-Fashioned Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
This ice cream recipe takes only four ingredients and it's amazing! No ice cream machine required. Instead of vanilla extract, try making it with vanilla beans for a truly homemade taste.
Vanilla-Kirsch Panna Cotta with Cherry Compote
This delectable Italian natilla recipe combines vanilla with the sweet acidity of cherries and berries, with the added touch of Kirsch, the classic cherry brandy.
Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Bean Buttercream
Don't tell anyone, but this scrumptious recipe calls for a box of cake mix! The cake itself will remind you of all those cumpleaños from your childhood, but the kicker is the addition of vanilla bean to this creamy frosting recipe.
For content that speaks to you, visit Shine Latina.
