Category: Spices

The vanilla pod, or vanilla bean, known visually as a long shriveled black bean, is the fruit product of the vanilla orchid. The seeds found inside of the dried pod are used for edible vanilla flavoring and in extracts, as are the pods themselves when ground into a powder. Are vanilla seeds poisonous? The bean […]

Vanilla plants won’t flower well if they only climb upwards and if they do, the flowers will be out of reach. Looped, healthy vines from mature plants can be tipped (apex removed) to induce flowering. How do you force vanilla to bloom? Vanilla orchids require fifty percent humidity in order to bloom. If the air […]

Common Issues with Vanilla Orchids Root or basal rot is a common issue with specimens sat in too moist or waterlogged soil for long periods. Symptoms include rapidly yellowing leaves, stunted growth and a rotten brown base. Take the plant out of the pot and inspect health below the soil line. Why is my vanilla […]

Vanilla beans are not toxic. Tonka beans have coumarin, which is in various other foods as well, and coumarin can be toxic depending on the dose, but if you’re healthy, Tonka beans sprinkled on food won’t kill you. Is vanilla pod poisonous? The bean can be used to make flavoring very similar to vanilla. Sadly […]

Vanilla is used in lots of our favourite foods and cosmetics because it tastes and smells so good! And you guessed it; the vanilla orchid, which produces these powerful little vanilla pods, grows in rainforests too. Where does vanilla originally come from? Vanilla is a native of South and Central America and the Caribbean; and […]

Rainforest Biome. Originally native to Central America, vanilla is now cultivated and exported mainly from Madagascar, Mexico, Reunion, Tahiti and Indonesia. You can find it growing up wooden supports in the Spice Exhibit in our Rainforest Biome. Where is vanilla grown the most? MadagascarThe biggest producer of vanilla is Madagascar (2900 tons), followed by Indonesia […]

Shelf Life Vanilla sugar is actually a pretty simple one, in that it should theoretically never go “bad.” Neither sugar nor vanilla contains any ingredients that will go rancid or bad, in a traditional sense, so if nothing else creeps into your storage container then you should be safe to eat vanilla sugar forever! How […]

brown. The liquid should be dark golden or brown. The darker the color, the stronger the vanilla flavor. If you’ve left the vanilla seeds in the bean, there should be lots of little flecks that have settled to the bottom of the jar. When you shake it, the extract should look almost opaque. How dark […]

How Long Does Vanilla Extract Last Pantry Pure vanilla extract (unopened or opened) Stays fine indefinitely Imitation vanilla extract (unopened or opened) Best-by + 6 – 12 months Can you get sick from expired vanilla extract? While it is unlikely that you will get sick from expired vanilla extract, if you believe it has gone […]

Corn vodka definitely makes delicious vanilla extract. Can you use any vodka for vanilla extract? What Kind of Alcohol is Best for Making Vanilla Extract? You can use any alcohol as long as it is 80 proof. The best and most popular choices are vodka, bourbon, brandy, or rum. Can you use flavored vodka for […]

1. Vanilla. It’s long been believed that vanilla is a natural aphrodisiac: as early as the 1700s, physicians recommended it to male patients to ensure potency. And the sweet, welcoming odor has a euphoric effect that sets the sensual mood. Is vanilla scent attractive? Hirsch also told Glamour in the previously-mentioned article that many men […]

Chef Varin’s Smoked Vanilla Once the vanilla pods are smoked, they attain a nice cigar box aroma and flavor. To use, grind the pods and use in a spice mix, as part of a vanilla sugar, or toss them with nuts, the spice urfa biber, and orange zest. Can I smoke vanilla extract? Harmful health […]

Vanilla. This vine-like plant blooms with large cream-colored flowers and when pollinated, produces seeds which are distilled into the popular flavoring. 100% non-toxic. Are vanilla bean plants toxic to cats? Vanilla bean in its pure form (without added alcohol or other flavorings) is not known to be toxic or poisonous to cats, other pets or […]

Cut three vanilla beans open lengthwise for every cup of glycerin you use. Add the beans to the glycerin, making sure they’re completely submerged. Then cap the bottle and store it in a cool, dark place. Shake the bottle once a week. Can you make extract without alcohol? To make your non-alcoholic extracts, just substitute […]

vanilla pod. The vanilla pod, or vanilla bean, known visually as a long shriveled black bean, is the fruit product of the vanilla orchid. The seeds found inside of the dried pod are used for edible vanilla flavoring and in extracts, as are the pods themselves when ground into a powder. What is the vanilla […]

Vanilla extract is prepared by crushing the cured dried vanilla beans and extracting with alcohol. Vanilla flavour is made from oleoresin vanilla, a dark semisolid concentration of vanilla extract, and alcohol and water. Imitation vanilla is made from commercially synthesized vanillin. How are vanilla extracted? Extraction is done by soaking material in a solvent, as […]

The Amount of Vanilla Extract to get Drunk The federal organization also requires that all extracts, including artificial extracts, contain a minimum of 35 percent alcohol. This means that for most vanilla extracts, four to five ounces should be enough to get a person drunk. How many shots of vanilla does it take to get […]

Even after fermentation when there’s a little bit of natural sweetness that comes out, it’s not overly sweet but the aroma of vanilla is very sweet! That aroma is overwhelming and we taste with more than just our tongues. Inhaling that scent translates to sweetness on our palate. What does vanilla smell like? Vanilla has […]

Disruptions in the body’s olfactory system — the system that allows the body to smell — can result in a sweet taste in the mouth. Infection in the sinuses, nose, and throat. Certain bacteria, especially pseudomonas, can cause a sweet taste in the mouth. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Can you taste vanilla? “Vanilla has no […]

Vanilla is naturally sweet and really doesn’t need sugar. However, when it was made at the apothecary shops it was more like a tincture, and contained 25% or more sugar. Some companies use sugar or corn syrup in their extracts while others don’t, and the amount of sweetener and/or caramel coloring varies. What does vanilla […]