5/30/2023 0 Comments Vanilla beans![]() ![]() While natural vanilla extract is composed of hundreds of compounds, including vanillin, synthetic vanilla only contains vanillin. Thus, the shortage of natural vanilla and the growing demand for this product has sparked the need for alternatives to vanilla from orchids ( 4, 15). Vanilla production from orchids is labor-intensive and typically involves hand pollination on small orchid farms. In comparison, synthetic vanillin costs just $15 per kilogram ( 1). In fact, natural vanilla can cost as much as $4,000 per kilogram (2.2 pounds). This has made the price of vanilla grow astronomically. It should be noted that the demand for natural vanilla has skyrocketed amid decreasing vanilla orchid production. So, although vanillin likely offers some health benefits, it’s unclear whether it would deliver any significant benefits when consumed in typical amounts ( 1, 14). Plus, studies investigating these potential health benefits have used concentrated doses of vanillin that exceed the amount you’d consumed when using normal amounts of vanilla extract or bean.įor reference, the vanillin concentration in cured vanilla beans is 1–2%, while vanilla extract’s concentration is 0.1–0.2%. While these findings are promising, it’s unclear how vanillin affects human health. According to some rodent studies, vanillin may benefit brain health and protect against neurodegenerative diseases ( 12, 13). Vanillin has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in animal and test-tube studies ( 3, 10, 11). Some evidence suggests that vanillin may have anticancer properties, though research is limited to cell and animal studies ( 8, 9). Vanillin is known to have powerful antioxidant properties, though these effects have only been studied in test tubes and animals ( 6, 7). Research shows that vanillin has several benefits properties, including: Vanillin can also be derived from other foods like rice bran oil and clove oil ( 5). Synthetic vanillin is also produced in labs in China, France, and the United States ( 3, 4). It’s the most researched component of vanilla. Images for illustrative purposes only.Vanillin is a phenolic plant compound found in vanilla extract and beans. ![]() Refrigeration is recommended in warm climates. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. This versatile spice can also be used in savoury recipes, including soups and curries. Use vanilla sugar in recipes in place of plain sugar, or sprinkle it over freshly cooked cakes and desserts. Vanilla sugar is also a great ingredient for baked goods including cakes, biscuits, muffins and fruit crumbles. Washed and dried pods can be popped into a jar of raw or caster sugar to infuse for at least a week to create vanilla sugar which is delicious in coffee, tea, chai other beverages. After the pod has been used in an infusion it can be thoroughly washed and dried (hung in the kitchen for a day or two to air dry works well), then stored in an airtight container until required again.Īnother great way to reuse a vanilla bean is to make vanilla sugar. Add either the whole bean, seeds or previously scraped-out pod to liquid as it is warmed to infuse its rich flavour.Ī vanilla bean has a great deal of flavour and can be reused 2 or 3 times before its aroma and taste are depleted. Vanilla beans are great infused into homemade ice cream, yoghurt, custard and sauces. The vanilla bean can be cut lengthwise with a paring knife to scrape the seeds out – add to smoothies and protein shakes for a lovely rich flavour boost. One bean is roughly equivalent to three teaspoons of essence. You can use vanilla beans in any beverage, dessert or recipe that calls for powdered vanilla or vanilla essence. The unique flavour of vanilla is smooth and creamy. These certified organic, fair-trade vanilla beans (aka vanilla ‘pods’) are gently dried to preserve their rich aromatic nature. ![]()
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