85. VENILLA

VENILLA

Children and their parents too are very fond of vanilla ice creams. Vanilla is a flavour which is added to ice creams to get vanilla ice creams. I am sure you are all very interested to know more about vanilla.

Vanilla plant is a runner or a vine and grows up a tree or pole. Vanilla is the second most expensive spice after saffron because it is difficult to grow the seed pods. It is very much in demand for its flavour and smell. This flavour and smell is due to the presence of a compound called vanillin. If the fruit is left on the plat, it will ripen and open at the ends. As it dries, the phenolic compounds crystallize giving the beans a diamond-dusted appearance.  It will give out the familiar vanilla smell. The fruit contains tiny flavourless seeds.

Vanilla pods are used as it is or they are powdered. Vanilla extract is done in alcohol or glycerol solution. Vanilla flavouring is done by adding vanilla extract or by using the vanilla pod.

But 95% of the available ‘vanilla’ products available today are actually artificial vanilla produced from lignin.

Vanilla extracts mainly contain vanillin and a small amount of piperonal (helitropin). Vanilla essence is available in two types. Real seed pod extract which is a mixture of hundreds of compounds. Synthetic essence is solution of synthetic vanillin in ethanol. It is derived from phenol and is highly pure.

Food industry uses methyl and ethyl vanillin. Ethyl vanillin is stronger.

Benefits:  

1. Vanilla is used in commercial and domestic baking.

2. It is used in the preparation of perfumes.

3. Vanilla is used to flavour chocolate, custard, caramel, coffee, etc.

4. Fever: Vanilla is an aphrodisiac and a cure for fever.

5. The essential oils of vanilla are used in aroma therapy.

Danger: Vanilla is found to increase the level of catecholamines (epinephrine or adrenaline) and hence it can be considered mildly addictive.)