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Vanilla. History of vanilla. It is the ancient Totonaco Indians of Mexico who were the first keepers of the secrets of vanilla. When they were defeated by the Aztecs, they were demanded to relinquish their exotic fruit of the Tlilxochitl vine, vanilla pods.
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History of vanilla • It is the ancient Totonaco Indians of Mexico who were the first keepers of the secrets of vanilla. When they were defeated by the Aztecs, they were demanded to relinquish their exotic fruit of the Tlilxochitl vine, vanilla pods. • When, in turn, the Aztecs were defeated by the conquering Spaniard, Hernando Cortez, he returned to Spain with the precious plunder - vanilla beans - which were combined with cacao to make an unusual and pleasing drink. For eighty years, this special beverage was only enjoyed by the nobility and the very rich. • Then, in 1602, Hugh Morgan, apothecary to Queen Elizabeth I, suggested that vanilla could be used as a flavoring all by itself, and the versatility of the exotic bean was finally uncovered. • http://www.nielsenmassey.com/historyofvanilla.htm
Where is vanilla grown? • Indonesia • Mexico • Tahiti • Madagasar (pictured) • Costa Rica • India • Uganda • Jamacia
How is Vanilla Grown? • Vanilla beans are the fruit of an orchid • Vanilla beans are hand pollinated when the flower opens • The beans are picked green • The beans are then cured for 3-6 months • The liquid vanilla is made from the hot or cold extraction process where a water/alcohol mix is circulated over and through the beans this process can take 3-5 weeks • The entire cultivation process from planting to market can take five to six years!
Vanilla Facts • How often are vanilla beans harvested? • Three times a year • Twice a year • Once a year • Answer: C
Vanilla facts • Who is credited with introducing Vanilla to the USA? • George Washington • Thomas Jefferson • Dolly Madison • Teddy Roosevelt • Answer: B • Thomas Jefferson brought vanilla beans • back after serving as ambassador • to the king of France in the late 1700’s
Other Vanilla Facts • Vanilla helps eliminate odors • Put a vanilla bean under the seat of your car to eliminate musty odors • Add a few drops of vanilla to a can of paint to reduce the odor • The USA consumes 1200 tons of vanilla beans a year! • Vanilla is used on the hands of fisherman to mask their smell so fish won’t detect them • A teaspoon of vanilla can cut acidity in tomato sauces
Works cited • http://www.nielsenmassey.com • http://youtu.be/ngjKzgEsDPg