A classic ice cream flavour and baking staple, vanilla has comforting, nostalgic associations that can take us back to childhood.
Its origins are rather more exotic. Indigenous to tropical forests in Mexico, Central and South America, the plant was later introduced to parts of Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Indian Ocean. Madagascar now produces more than three quarters of the world’s vanilla.
In tea, vanilla adds a natural sweetness without the need for sugar, has a pleasant fragrance and teams well with other flavours.
The uplifting feelings we get from the scent and taste of vanilla make it a fitting ingredient to highlight in the month we celebrate love and happiness through Valentine’s Day.
Natural wonderÂ
Vanilla is a kind of orchid with greenish yellow flowers. A climbing vine which grows up to 15 metres long, it uses aerial roots to cling to trees.
It’s the pods (also called beans) and their thousands of tiny seeds which produce the distinctive flavour.
Real vanilla is a surprisingly expensive spice, second only to saffron. Away from the vanilla-favouring Melipona bee species of the Americas, cultivated plants must be hand pollinated. The pods can then take nine months ripen and several more to dry.
The hand pollination technique for vanilla was first developed back in 1841 on the island now called Reunion by Edmond Albius, an enslaved 12-year-old.
How we farm vanilla
We directly work with 12 organic vanilla farmers in Southern and Central Sri Lanka who grow the vanilla planifolia variety.
During the vanilla cultivation process, the farmers carefully induce pollination using a toothpick to transfer pollen from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part) of the flower.
Care must also be taken when harvesting because immature pods yield poor-quality vanilla, while overripe pods may split.
The vanilla processing then involves several steps:
1. Harvested pods are dipped in hot water (about 60–80°C) for a few minutes.
2. They’re then wrapped in cloth or placed in airtight containers for a week during which they’re exposed to heat by day and kept in the dark at night.
3. Finally, the pods are stored in wooden boxes for the curing process when all the major flavour compounds in vanilla (vanillin) concentrate as they age.
Health benefits
Vanilla has been used as an aphrodisiac (including reputedly by England’s Elizabeth I), a stimulant and a digestive aid.
Its most proved medical benefit however is the anti-microbial properties of vanillin, the compound which also gives vanilla its taste and smell.
Research has attributed calming effects to the scent of vanilla. It has also been shown to be better at lifting mood than other pleasant fragrances, prompting the brain to release dopamine and serotonin.
In tea as well as in baking, vanilla’s greatest advantage is adding natural sweetness when you’re trying to reduce sugar.
Foodie facts
- Â Vanilla Planifolia is the only orchid which produces something edible to humans.
- Â Vanilla pods must be dried to release their flavour as well as their fragrance, which is popular in perfumes.
- In baking, vanilla extract is made from vanilla pods, while cheaper and milder vanilla essence is often a synthetic imitation.
- Â Most popular today for custards and ice creams, vanilla was first used by Mexican Aztecs to flavour cocoa drinks.
Our Rooibos, Cocoa & Vanilla blend
You can enjoy this prized ingredient in our warming, soothing Rooibos, Cocoa & Vanilla blend, flavoured with real organic vanilla pods and cocoa nibs.
We agree with the Aztecs; the bitterness of cocoa and the sweetness of vanilla marry beautifully together. Rooibos then introduces a subtle hint of acidity to the tea. It also has a beautiful chocolatey fragrance.
It all adds up to a smooth and powerfully flavoured brew, strong while naturally caffeine free.
And when it’s time to indulge, we think this tea works very well with a slice of chocolate cake!
After something more subtle and traditional? Try our popular Vanilla Earl Grey – a twist on the classic brew. We’ve kept the traditional bergamot flavour of Earl Grey but infused it with lemon, rose and vanilla for a sweeter, creamier taste.
Browse and buy our range of organic speciality teas at etsteas-co-uk-ukshop.myshopify.com or selected retailers.