10 Inspiring and Delicious Vanilla Recipes

Theire is a common misconception about vanilla. This aromatic pod isn’t just a simple dessert addition or a whimsical aromatic note in perfume. The use of vanilla extends beyond its sweet, comforting aroma. Many are oblivious to the health benefits that these slender, fragrant pods offer. So, let’s take a journey together and uncover more about this astonishing ‘vegetable’.

Origins and Cultivation of Vanilla

Vanilla (vanilla planifolia), which is derived from ‘vainilla’, a Spanish word meaning ‘little pod’, is native to Mexico. Now, it is extensively grown in locations like Madagascar, Reunion Island, and other regions in the Indian Ocean.

Harvesting vanilla is labor-intensive. Each flower is hand-pollinated, and the pods have to be individually handpicked. Afterward, they go through a four-step curing process including killing, sweating, slow-drying, and conditioning. It takes a careful hand, impeccable timing, and almost a year of wait to create the vanilla that graces our cookies and cakes.

The Health Benefits of Vanilla

Contrary to popular belief, vanilla is not just a flavor for our desserts, or a sweet scent for our perfumes. It is shockingly packed with numerous health benefits.

Firstly, vanilla is full of antioxidants. These protect your body from damage by harmful components called free radicals, and every pod is brimming with these free radical fighters, helping to protect your body from wear and tear and the tolls of aging. (source)

Secondly, studies have suggested that vanilla can have a positive effect on your mental health. The scent of vanilla has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. The comforting scent can also induce calm in individuals undergoing stress tests. (source)

Finally, it’s been reported that vanilla has a role to play in hair care. Its unique properties can help strengthen the hair and induce shine. Furthermore, when mixed with other beneficial components like jojoba oil, it can promote hair growth and reduce hair loss (source).

In short, vanilla is not just a luxurious ingredient for our taste buds, but a veritable hero for health and wellbeing. No gourmet pantry should be without it.