It’s loved by some and hated by few—most of the population claim that vanilla ice cream is their preferred flavour. Regardless of your liking, you’ll be surprised by how much you did not know about this beauty. Vanilla’s story is anything but typical. It is the sole member of the orchid family that produces fruit. In addition, it is the only fruit in the world’s most prominent flowering plant family of orchids that produces edible fruit. Here are some fantastic facts narrated only in culinary schools or baking courses in Chennai. There are almost 150 varieties of vanilla plants, which we bet you didn’t know.
- The hand-picking, curing, wrapping, and drying of vanilla beans takes 4 to 6 months. Although it takes a lot of time, we think it’s worthwhile! It is grown in a hot, humid tropical climate near the equator.
- Vanilla ice cream is generally the most popular flavour; thus, most people consider it the “default” flavour.
- After saffron, the spice we all cherish is among the most expensive ones available. Almost all bakery classes in Chennai teach to use it efficiently.
- Vanilla beans should never be refrigerated because doing so will cause them to crystallise and harden. Avoid damaging them; they are expensive!
- Vanilla beans differ in flavour, scent, and colour from one another.
- The first American to introduce vanilla to the country was President Thomas Jefferson in 1789.
- Vanilla can only be pollinated by the Central American melipona bee. Humans replicate the procedure with a wooden needle in different regions of the world.
- The 37 calories in one tbsp of its extract are primarily made up of carbohydrates and alcohol.
- There are numerous industrial uses for vanilla, such as a flavour for medications and a fragrance to mask the overpowering aroma of paint, rubber tyres, and cleaning supplies.
- Vanilla is utilised in perfumes in addition to being a flavouring for dishes and drinks. It might be in your favourite scent to some extent.
- Vanilla can be employed in a wide variety of ways. It was historically used as an aphrodisiac and in manufacturing some medications in Europe, including nerve stimulants.
- Mexico was the only country that could grow vanilla plants only until the late nineteenth century.
- Costa Rica, Tahiti, Guatemala, Uganda, India, China, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and the Philippines are nations that also cultivate Vanilla.
- Baking classes in Chennai teach that we can boil vanilla pods in liquids to extract their full flavour and aroma.
- In several studies, Vanilla has been linked to weight loss success because of its ability to decrease hunger.
- V. planifolia, also known as Madagascar or Bourbon vanilla, makes up most of the vanilla grown worldwide.
- Spiders dislike vanilla. To frighten away those eight-legged monsters, use entire vanilla beans.
You would have enjoyed these simple but amazing facts. As stated at the outset, it is everything but typical. You must confess that after reading this, you’re a little taken aback by what you’ve learned about vanilla. Taking professional bakery courses in Chennai will help you to master using these expensive spices to spice up your baking and treat your loved ones.