The only orchid that bears an edible fruit
Vanilla planifolia is a climbing evergreen perennial vine native to Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies.
Vanilla has a thick, succulent stem and bears brought green, pointed leaves and clusters of showy, pale greenish yellow flowers. The familiar vanilla fragrance develops only after the bean has ripened and fermented. During fermentation, the chemical compounds in beans breakdown and form new compounds.
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| Vanilla pod still young |
Vanilla extract is complex mixture extracted from the vanilla bean, where the major components contributing to the rich characteristics bouquet and flavor essentially, vanillin and about five other, with some trace components likely important from other 200 components in the bean.
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| Vanilla orchid |
The main application of natural vanilla is for flavoring ice creams and soft drinks. Vanilla is an important flavour component in colas and is also in cream sodas, root beer, some fruit beverages, tea and coffee.
Vanillin or vanilla flavors are used in many alcoholic beverages, such as whiskeys, cordials and cocktails, to round out and smooth the harsh edges of the alcohol.
Vanilla flavor for beverages
