Madagascar Vanilla Beans

The spice Vanilla comes from the Vanilla bean. Vanilla beans have made the island nation of Madagascar world famous. It has been growing on farms and plantations in the north of the island for over 150 years. Brought over from Mexico, Vanilla beans are the fruit of orchid Vanilla Planifolia. One of the few orchids that actual bloom to produce a flower and a fruit.

Whole Vanilla Beans
The raw Vanilla bean is harvested from the orchid and then further processed by undergoing a curing or drying process. The final product is a long (up to 25cm) finely ridged bean which ranges in colour from a lustrous black to a deep dark brown. A good quality Madagascar Vanilla bean will be slightly oily to the touch and somewhat flexible. It will also be malleable enough to wrap around a finger. This indicates that the bean has a good degree of moisture within it and perhaps a good level of Vanillin – the main chemical that makes up the Vanilla flavour. One expects a moisture content of around 20-30% for premium Madagascar Vanilla beans. Most Madagascar Vanilla beans have a Vanillin content of between 1.5-2%

Vanilla Bean Products
Madagascar Vanilla beans have a rich fruity aromatic flavour with a hint of phenol. They are used throughout the culinary world by premier chefs and gourmands and are held in high esteem. They are in demand. Though there are several other nations such as India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Uganda who also produce Vanilla beans it is the Madagascar Vanilla beans that are requested most frequently. It is common for users of Vanilla beans or the refined extract to request Madagascar Vanilla beans by name. They have become so famous that the name has become a brand.

There are numerous uses for Madagascar Vanilla beans. You will no doubt be familiar with Vanilla used in foodstuffs such as ice cream, yogurts and baked goods. It is also an important component of expensive aftershaves, perfumes and lotions. Vanilla can round of the edges of more severe flavours and scents. Thereby rendering the overall fragrance profile to be more subtle and agreeable.

How To Use Vanilla Beans
You can quickly experience the delight of the Vanilla aroma by just slicing the beans lengthways in half so that the inner granules, or Vanilla caviar as it known in the trade, are liberated. Then scrape the caviar out of the bean and insert it in a neutral oil, like Almond oil, along with the split beans.

Close the lid and give the container a shake. Within a few minutes the delicate fragrance of the Vanilla beans will infuse into oil giving you a beautifully scented massage oil. This is 100% natural and 100% organic. No artificial additives or chemicals.

Oils, lotions and moisturisers as well as other body products that contain natural Vanilla or its real extract have a relaxing and therapeutic effect on the mind and body. Vanilla is a complex flavour and there are over 200 organic compounds that up its flavour profile. It has many benefits for the human body. Studies have shown it to promote relaxation and release of muscle tension. It is also has anti-oxidant properties that help fight disease and infection. Though not mentioned often today, in times gone by it was used as an aphrodisiac. Perhaps if you mix up a solution of oil and Vanilla you could test the validity of the previous claim in the context of the times of today. I am sure you will surprise yourself.

Further Resources – Vanilla Wikipedia Entry : : Madagascar Country information