Nutmeg has a chameleon quality: Its flavor bends to how it’s used. To accentuate its bracing initial punch, I like to pair it with lemon zest. To draw out its slow-dance melodies, few things work as well as dark liquors and roasted or dried fruit (especially dates and apricots). What spices go well with lemon? […]
Category: Spices
Is Nutmeg Good In Coffee?
It might seem strange that a spice often used to season meat can also taste good in coffee, but it’s true. Nutmeg is very versatile and blends nicely with the flavors in medium and dark roasted coffee despite having a powerful taste. Why do people add nutmeg to coffee? A little nutmeg added to your […]
Can Alcoholics Have Vanilla Extract?
If you are dealing with recovering alcoholics it would be a good idea to pour the pure vanilla extract, pure almond extract (32% alcohol by volume in 1 fl oz), and other baking ingredients that have alcohol content down the drain and replace them with the imitation variety. It will help the recovery process. Is […]
Does Mccormick Vanilla Extract Have Sugar?
It’s completely organic and contains no additives or sweeteners. It’s just vanilla beans and alcohol. Does vanilla extract have added sugar? Some vanilla extracts, both natural and synthetic, can contain added sugar, too. Always check product labels on the specific brand you’ve chosen to understand what you’re eating. Is McCormick vanilla extract real vanilla? There’s […]
Is Nutmeg A Fruit Or Nut?
Despite its name, nutmeg isn’t a nut. It’s really a seed. Is nutmeg a fruit? Nutmeg is not a nut but it is a mega spice and as such pose no risk to persons who have nut allergies. Nutmeg is actually a fruit with a single seed which makes it a drupe, similar to an […]
Can I Use Nutmeg To Boil Meat?
Besides being an exotic spice, nutmeg is grouped under the category of aphrodisiacs, and in cooking, only small quantities – such as a little grating or a pinch of the ground powder – are used to make soups, meat gravies, beef stew, steaks, roulades, and even desserts. How do you use nutmeg in cooking? To […]
What Does Star Anise Do To Dogs?
Unlike catnip, anise tends to make dogs excited and hyper, not mellow or sleepy. Like cats with catnip, many dogs are attracted to the scent of anise and will become excited by it. The effects of aniseed vary from dog to dog. Some dogs will show little to no interest while others may actually dislike […]
When Did Vanilla Get So Expensive?
The demand for pure vanilla across the industry has skyrocketed, so much so that in 2015, when large food and beverage companies such as Nestle, General Mills, Hershey and Kellogg’s started removing artificial ingredients and replacing them with natural products, it triggered a price jump. When did vanilla extract get so expensive? Over 80% of […]
Do Bees Like Vanilla?
Vanilla extract is great for keeping bees off of your body. Mix a tablespoon of extract with water and you will keep them away from you, even if it is an area that’s popular for bees (if you’re not a fan of vanilla, baby oil will work fine, too). Are bees attracted to the smell […]
How Can I Buy Vanilla?
Vanilla Beans: Look for plump, shiny vanilla beans, and stay away from those that look dry. To test the quality of the beans, shake the bottle when you’re at the store. If the beans clink inside, it means they’re dry. Vanilla Extract: Check the label of the vanilla extract you’re buying. How is vanilla sold? […]
Can Vanilla Powder Spoil?
Vanilla beans, paste, sugar, and powder will last a while as well—one to two years for beans and two to three years for the rest. The key is storing them in a dry, cool part of your pantry, out of light. But if a bean has dried out or is no longer fragrant, toss it […]
What Do Mexicans Use Vanilla For?
The Traditional Mexican vanilla can be used for anything that calls for vanilla; anything from french toast, smoothies, homemade ice cream, whip cream, cookies, cakes, oatmeal, etc, etc. The primary difference between the Traditional and the Pure is the amount of alcohol in the vanilla. What did the Aztecs use vanilla for? When the Aztecs […]
What Flower Makes Vanilla?
vanilla orchid. The vanilla orchid (Vanilla planifolia Andrews) originated in Mexico and, for centuries, was the exclusive secret of the native Totonac Indians who were later conquered by the Aztecs. What plant gives you vanilla? Vanilla planifoliaGrowing a Vanilla Bean Plant – The Coveted Culinary Spice. Vanilla, or Vanilla planifolia, is a vining orchid native […]
Where Did Vanilla Extract Originally Come From?
Mexico – The Birthplace of Vanilla The vanilla orchid (Vanilla planifolia Andrews) originated in Mexico and, for centuries, was the exclusive secret of the native Totonac Indians who were later conquered by the Aztecs. What is the origin of vanilla extract? Vanilla is a native of South and Central America and the Caribbean; and the […]
How Was The Flavor Vanilla Invented?
Aztecs from the central highlands of Mexico invaded the Totonacs in 1427, developed a taste for the vanilla pods, and began using vanilla to flavor their foods and drinks, often mixing it with cocoa in a drink called “xocolatl” that later inspired modern hot chocolate. How was vanilla originated? Vanilla is a native of South […]
When Was Vanilla Extract Invented?
1847. History Notes Vanilla Extract was invented in 1847. In the mid-1800s, Vanilla plantations were established in Indonesia and other tropical countries such as Madagascar. When was vanilla extract first made? The first synthetic vanilla extract was created in 1858 by a French chemist named Charles Morin, who experimented with artificial means for producing vanillin. […]
How Does Vanilla Affect Your Mood?
The benefits of vanilla oil are delivered by smell or into the bloodstream through skin absorption. Vanilla is effective in suppressing depression because vanilla’s uplifting fragrance stimulates a part of your brain, called olfactory, which is responsible for regulating mood. How does vanilla make you feel? Whether you’re feeling a bout of the Monday blues […]
How Much Should Vanilla Beans Cost?
Real vanilla beans also cost about $3-4 each. What is the current price of vanilla beans? UGANDA GOLDTM – Ultra Premium Vanilla Beans – Super Long Price USD Tahitian Gourmet Premium Vanilla Beans (PNG) – Super Long Price USD Tahitensis Gourmet Premium Vanilla Beans (PNG) – Super Long – 3-4 lbs. $169.99/lb. Tahitensis Gourmet Premium […]
Is Vanilla Extract Made With Vodka?
80 proof Alcohol: Vanilla extract is most commonly made from vodka, but you can use bourbon, brandy, or rum instead. I usually use vodka, but the one bottle of bourbon vanilla I made 7 months ago is DIVINE. No need to splurge on expensive alcohol. What kind of alcohol is in vanilla extract? To be […]
How Many Beans Does A Vanilla Plant Produce?
A healthy vine should produce about 50 to 100 beans per year, but growers are careful to pollinate only five or six flowers from the 20 on each raceme. The first flowers that open per vine should be pollinated, so the beans are similar in age. These agronomic practices facilitate harvest and increases bean quality. […]