Vanilla Extract - Biscotti

1. Vanilla Extract - Biscotti Dessert by Ingredients February 11, 2008

2. Extract • Extracts = liquid flavoring essences • concentrated flavoring agent • some (beef extract) – made by reducing a liquid until it is a syrup • other (vanilla extract) – dissolving the spice in alcohol • pure vanilla extract = 35% alcohol

3. Vanilla & Vanilla Extract • History of Vanilla • Origin: Mexico where Aztecs used it to flavor chocolate drinks • Emperor Montezuma introduces it to Spanish Explorer Cortez • 16th century: brought to Europe • Popular aristocratic drink: cacao beans with vanilla pods • 1602: Queen Elizabeth I’s chemist suggests using it as extract • Today Madagascar is the world’s largest producer

4. Vanilla • Derived from orchids • The principal growing areas are Madagascar, Indonesia, Mexico, Mauritius, Tonga and Tahiti. • Vine- grows by climbing, but growers fold over top to maintain height (stimulates flavor) • 1 flower- 1 fruit with black seeds = seeds give the vanilla flavor

5. Harvesting Process • Stage 1: Harvest - green & odorless • Stage 2: Killing-prevent further growth; sun, oven, freezing • Stage 3: sweating-held in hot temp, enzymes process compounds for flavor • Stage 4: Drying to prevent rotting, lock in aroma • Stage 5: Grading sorted by quality • After 3-4 months of this process the beans, brownish black in color, are then considered cured and ready to be sold in the market.

6. Whole bean Powder Extract Ice cream: default flavor = vanilla Vanilla: synonym for plain Ways Vanilla is Used • The naturally sweet flavor of vanilla finds its perfect match when paired with seasonal fruits. • Vanilla brings out the round sweetness of the fruits. • The organic, rich character of Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla helps to take the edge off of any acidity the fruit may have.

7. Recipe for Vanilla Extract • Cut 6 vanilla beans in half • scrape vanilla beans • put beans in vodka and push until covered entirely • Cover and set in lightless area • 8 weeks later = vanilla extract. May add sugar

8. Interesting Vanilla Facts • Vanilla originated in Mexico. • When the Spanish conquistador arrived in Mexico they dubbed it vanilla or little sheath. They brought it back to Europe and by the 1660s it was a popular flavor used with chocolate. • By the 19th Century vanilla had established itself as the most popular flavor in the ice-cream industry. • Today world production of vanilla beans averages between 2000-2400 metric tons per year.

9. Different Types of Extract • Almond Extract: almond oil + alcohol, substitute with almond liqueur • Anise: tastes like licorice, used to flavor cakes and cookies • Brandy/Rum: flavor of brandy/rum, w/o alcohol-alcohol used, but not in end product • Imitation vanilla: cheaper • Lemon/orange: make w. zest & vodka

10. Biscotti are a twice-baked, oblong-shaped cookie from Italy The word biscottio, known as biscotti today, is derived from bis (twice) and cotto (cooked) It derives from the custom of baking cookie dough in long slabs, cutting it into a third to a half-inch thick, long cookies, and baking them again Bake twice to lose any excess moisture which makes them nice and crunchy. Biscotti Cookie

11. Biscotti Cookie Cont’d • Biscotti originated in the region of Italy known as Tuscany, in a city called Prato, just 15 miles from Florence. • Tuscan biscotti were flavored with almonds from almond groves of Prato. • Biscotti became a staple in the Tuscan cities of Florence and Prato, and the Italian peninsula. • In Prato the cookies were, and still are, known as cantucci. “Cantucci di Prato”

12. Roman Legions, contemporary soldiers, sailors and fisherman all appreciated their long storage ability • Long before, biscotti was a pallid, dry staple for nourishment. • Now Italian bakers create more flavorful biscotti. • Their dry, crunchy texture was deemed to be the perfect medium to soak up sweet wine. • Thus biscotti became associated with simple pleasures and joyous occasions.

13. Biscotti Cookie contd. • The history of biscotti in the United States can be traced back to Christopher Columbus, who needed a viable food source that could resist moisture and mold on overseas journeys

14. Types of Biscotti • They fall into two distinct categories: those made with butter and those made without butter or any shortening • The butter enhanced cookie results in a more tender shortbread-like texture, while those without butter are drier and harder • The butterless ones don't easily break when dipped and are best served with a cup of coffee or tea,

15. Biscotti are classically flavored with almonds, chocolate, almond, hazelnut or anise seed Also popular are dried red tart cherries, raisins, cinnamon, fennel or poppy seeds, allspice, mace, citrus zest, ground toasted nuts, miniature dark or white chocolate chips Types of Biscotti Cont’d

16. How to bake your own Biscotti! INGREDIENTS • 2 1/4c all-purpose flour - 2.25 cup 1c white sugar - 1 cup • 1t baking powder • 3 eggs • 1tsp vanilla extract • pinch of salt

17. Directions • Preheat an oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 1 large baking sheet. • Sift the dry ingredients in a large bowl. • Mix the eggs and liquids in a separate bowl. Gradually add liquids to the dry ingredients, folding until dough is stiff. (Do not over mix!!) The batter is super-sticky! • Stir in the optional ingredients (nuts, chocolate, dried fruit, whatever!).

18. cont’d… • On a well-floured work-surface with floured hands shape dough into four logs: 1.5 inches wide, 15 inches long. Place them on the baking sheet. (3 inches of space between logs). • Bake for 10-15 minutes. Remove baked logs from oven and cool for 10 minutes. • Using a serrated knife, cut the logs crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. Place back on cookie sheet, sliced side down, and bake again for 15 minutes or until they are golden brown. Flip over once in the middle of this.

19. Sources Cited • http://www.chefdepot.net/vanillabeans.htm • http://www.baking911.com/cookies/biscotti.htm • http://franlife.blogspot.com/2007/06/recipe-biscotti-with-anise-and.html • http://www.kanneganti.com/social/misc/biscotti/biscotti.jpg • http://viviansbiscotti.com/ • http://www.thenibble.com • www.jandatri.com/shop/catalog/ • http://blogs.menupages.com/chicago/biscotti.jpg • http://www.browniepointsblog.com