In the article we discuss vanilla. We talk about its beneficial properties, its use in cooking and cosmetology, and its effectiveness against mosquitoes. You will learn about what you can replace vanilla with and how to grow it at home.
Vanilla is a genus of perennial vines of the Orchidaceae family. Currently, more than 100 species of plants are known. Only 3 of them are cultivated to produce fruits, which are used as a spice and are also called vanilla.
Until the mid-19th century, vanilla was grown only in Mexico, its cost was high. Attempts to grow the plant outside the country were not successful - vanilla took root, but the pods did not set. In Mexico, vanilla was pollinated by stingless bees - meliponas, which were not found in other countries. In 1841, a resident of Reunion Island discovered the method of hand pollination. After this, the plant became widespread throughout the world.
Vanilla is common in tropical and subtropical regions. Lianas love loose, loamy soil rich in organic matter. The plant is quite fastidious; it takes 9 months for the pods to ripen.
Vanilla fruits undergo a long, multi-stage fermentation process. The result is aromatic vanilla bean, which is sold by spice suppliers.
The seasoning is cultivated in many countries of the equatorial belt. Most vanilla is produced in Madagascar, Indonesia and China. Most often you can find Madagascar, Indian and bourbon vanilla on sale.
What does vanilla look like?
The liana reaches 12-15 m in height. The plant rests on trees with the help of adventitious roots; the roots can reach 50 m in length.
Appearance (photo) of Vanilla.
Vanilla blooms with large light green, cream flowers. Each flower of the plant remains open for only a day. If pollination does not occur during this time, the flower withers, dries up and falls to the ground. With successful pollination, the fruit grows in a pod 15-25 cm in size, which is filled with small black seeds.
Smell and taste of vanilla
Vanilla has neither aroma nor taste. She gets all this after fermentation.
The green fruits of the vine are collected and dipped in boiling water for a while. After this, they are laid out in the open air under a stretched tent for several months. At the end of the fermentation process, the pods become dark brown, and some of them develop needle-like crystals, which are called natural vanillin. Only after this does vanilla begin to exude a pleasant and sweet aroma.
How to replace vanilla
Vanilla can be replaced with the following products:
- vanilla extract;
- vanilla essence;
- vanilla sugar;
- vanillin;
- vanilla powder.
Vanilla and vanillin difference
Many people confuse vanillin with vanilla, believing that they are the same thing. In fact, there is a difference between these products.
Vanilla is a spice that contains 250-500 different components. Vanillin is a substance that gives spices its aroma and taste. In addition to natural vanillin, there is synthetic vanillin.
Synthetic vanillin is obtained from petroleum products, lignin, and eugenol. Its price is 20 times lower than the cost of vanilla. More than 20 thousand tons of product are produced annually.
Beneficial properties of vanilla
The benefits of vanilla lie in its composition, which contains:
- B vitamins;
- a nicotinic acid;
- copper;
- magnesium;
- resin;
- zinc;
- phosphorus.
Useful properties of the spice:
- relaxing;
- antioxidant;
- sedative;
- pain reliever;
- soothing;
- rejuvenating;
- anti-inflammatory.
It is useful to take vanilla to improve appetite. The spice effectively fights dyspepsia, diseases of the nervous system, convulsions, and rheumatism. Vanilla activates muscle activity, eliminates stress and irritation.
Vanilla oil is good for women to take. It normalizes the menstrual cycle and eliminates pain before menstruation. Vanilla essential oil reduces elevated body temperature and fights infections.
Natural vanilla enhances libido. It is useful for both men and women.
Thanks to its antioxidant properties, consuming the spice prevents the development of cancer. Vanilla helps cope with inflammation of the respiratory, digestive and excretory systems.
The spice normalizes the production of gastric juice. It also helps break down carbohydrates and remove them from the body.
For more information about the beneficial properties of vanilla, watch the following video:
Application of vanilla
The spice has a wide range of uses. It is actively used in cooking, cosmetology, and perfumery. Vanilla is often used for medicinal purposes, used to prevent diabetes and saturate the body with useful elements.
To get a positive result from vanilla, use the spice in the pods. The substitute has no benefit other than a pleasant aroma.
In cooking
In cooking, the spice is used in the manufacture of confectionery and bakery products. The spice is used as an additive for creams, jams, compotes and liqueurs. Dairy products and cottage cheese dishes are often flavored with vanilla.
Vanilla is widely used in cooking.
The spice is used in the production of chocolate and candies. To flavor drinks and dishes, place a vanilla pod (no more than 10 cm) in them, and remove it before serving. To preserve the aroma, the spice is introduced into a ready-made and not cooled dish (puddings, jam, soufflé, compote). In some dishes, for example, curd pasta, spices are added after cooking.
You can use vanilla sugar for baking and making confectionery. To do this, the vanilla pod is cut, placed in a porcelain container along with granulated sugar or powdered sugar, and ground. The resulting mixture is introduced into the dough during kneading.
In cosmetology
In cosmetology, vanilla ether is used to care for the skin of the face, body, and hair. Cosmetologists recommend using the product to prepare homemade masks.
The benefits of vanilla ether for facial skin are as follows:
- restores firmness and elasticity;
- eliminates pigmentation;
- relieves pimples and blackheads;
- eliminates wrinkles;
- corrects the oval lines of the face.
Below are recipes for face masks.
For wrinkles
Ingredients:
- Vanilla ether - 2 drops.
- Avocado - 1 pc.
- Banana - 1 pc.
How to cook: Peel the banana and avocado and cut in half. Grind the banana and avocado pulp in a blender. Add vanilla oil.
How to use: Apply the mask in a thick layer to a cleansed face. After 35 minutes, remove with a damp sponge.
Result: When performing 3-4 cosmetic procedures per month, wrinkles are smoothed out. The skin becomes soft and moisturized, its elasticity and tone increase.
For acne
Ingredients:
- Vanilla essential oil - 2 drops.
- Badyaga - 10 gr.
- Corn starch - 2 tsp.
- Grapeseed oil - 20 drops.
How to cook: Combine vanilla ether with grape oil. Add remaining ingredients, stir. If the composition is thick, dilute it with mineral water.
How to use: Steam your skin. Apply the mask onto your face using circular movements and wait 5-10 minutes. Rinse off the composition with warm water, apply bactericidal powder to the rash.
Result: Eliminates irritation and redness, whitens skin, gets rid of age spots.
Vanilla oil is also used for hair. It accelerates their growth, prevents hair loss, and strengthens hair follicles. The product also gives hair smoothness, silkiness and thickness, and retains the hair color after coloring.
Mask for dry hair
Ingredients:
- Egg - 2 pcs.
- Vanilla essential oil - 2 drops.
- Honey - 5 g.
- Castor oil - 1 tsp.
- Cognac - 3 ml.
How to cook: Beat the yolks with honey, add the remaining ingredients, stir.
How to use: Apply the mask over the entire length of your hair, starting from the roots. After an hour, wash off the mask with warm water and shampoo.
Result: Moisturizes dry curls, preventing their loss and splitting.
It is useful to use ether for body care. It reduces the appearance of cellulite, relieves inflammation, activates tone and gives elasticity.
Body Scrub
Ingredients:
- Granulated sugar - 0.25 kg.
- Vanilla ether - 10 drops.
- Ground coffee - 50 g.
- Almond oil - 10 drops.
How to cook: Combine ingredients.
How to use: Rub the prepared mixture onto problem areas of the body.
Result: Cleansing the skin, improving blood flow.
Bath product
Ingredients:
- Honey - 10 g.
- Vanilla oil - 2 drops.
- Sea salt - 2 tbsp.
- Milk - 50 ml.
How to cook: Combine the ingredients and stir. Pour the resulting mixture into the bath.
How to use: Take a bath, then apply nourishing cream to your body.
Result: Moisturizing and softening the skin.
Vanilla essential oil goes well with ginger, anise, sandalwood, citrus fruits, and jasmine. These oils can be combined when preparing home remedies for face, body, and hair care.
Before use, perform an allergy test. Apply a few drops of oil to your wrist. After a quarter of an hour, look at this area. If there is no redness or itching, the product can be used.
In perfumery
Vanilla is actively used in perfumery when creating men's and women's perfume compositions. Vanilla aroma for perfumery is isolated from the fruit using extraction to form a resinoid or absolute. The last components that are combined with the transport oil are contained in bottles with “Vanilla Oil”. An artificially flavored product is often passed off as ether.
The smell of vanilla in perfume excites the consciousness of men and women. Some consider a perfume with vanilla notes to be a win-win option for a first date.
The aroma of vanilla in expensive perfumes is different from that present in cheap counterfeits. Real vanilla is amber, thick, tart and erotic. Vanilla is often present in oriental and woody bouquets.
The most famous vanilla scents:
- Guerlain “Shalimar”;
- Dolce & Gabbana “The One”;
- Dior “Addict”.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract is widely used for baking.
Vanilla extract is one of the most common extracts used in baking. It is used to flavor dough, fillers and fillings, mousses, and creams.
Natural vanilla extract is an alcoholic tincture of vanilla pods. According to FDA requirements (American consumer supervision), 1 liter of extract must contain 0.1 kg of vanilla pods and at least 35% alcohol. This extract is usually used for home baking.
Industrial vanilla extract contains various additives: granulated sugar, syrup, flavorings, etc.
When purchasing this product, pay attention to its composition. If vanillin is indicated in the composition, then it is better to refrain from purchasing, as the artificial substitute leaves a bitter aftertaste in dishes.
Homemade vanilla extract is an ideal product for preparing various dishes. It is easy to prepare it yourself, and the shelf life of such an extract is unlimited. Below is a recipe for making vanilla extract.
Ingredients:
- Vanilla pods - 8 pcs.
- Vodka - 1 l.
How to prepare: Using sharp scissors, cut the pods lengthwise down the middle. Remove the seeds and place them in a glass jar (1 L). Cut the pods into 2 cm pieces and place them in a jar. Pour vodka, close the lid. Place the container in a dark place for a month, shake periodically. After 30 days, the extract can be used. But the product will be fully infused only after six months. Strain the extract into a clean container, add a vanilla bean for beauty.
Vanilla oil
Vanilla oil is used for medicinal purposes for:
- increasing immunity;
- treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- disinfection of damaged dermis;
- elimination of inflammatory processes.
Vanilla absolute oil is actively used in cosmetology. In some cases, the remedy is used to perform magical rituals to attract good luck, love and happiness.
Vanilla against mosquitoes
Vanilla effectively helps against midges and mosquitoes. It can be used in the form of powder, pods, oil.
When using oil, apply it to your skin every hour. Only in this case will there be a result from using the product.
In order to protect your child from blood-sucking insects, use vanilla water. Her recipe is below.
Ingredients:
- Vanilla - 2 g.
- Water - 1 glass.
How to cook: Dissolve vanilla in warm water.
How to use: Wipe the baby's skin with the resulting mixture. Spray the remaining product around the children's room.
How to grow vanilla
If you love the aroma of vanilla, then try growing it at home. You will need to purchase flowerpots, fertilizer for orchids, a substrate of bark, peat and garden soil. Also buy vanilla at a flower shop or order it online.
Replant the plant in a pot with substrate, then place the vanilla in a warm place. In winter, the room temperature should be no lower than 20 degrees, in summer - no lower than 25 degrees. Protect the plant from cold and drafts.
At home, you can only grow vanilla orchid.
Water and spray the plant generously with warm water (35-45 degrees). In spring and summer, you can lower the pot with the plant into water. Make sure there is no stagnation of water. Feed the plant every 2-3 weeks.
Place the plant near a support, as the vine begins to branch as it grows. Try to keep the night temperature in the room with the plant 5 degrees lower than the daytime temperature. In this case, the plant will bloom. Flowers appear on vanilla that has grown to 6 m or more. With proper care, the plant grows 1 m in a month. Replant the vine every 2 years.
Where can I buy
You can buy vanilla in the form of powder and pods in grocery stores and online stores. Vanilla oil is sold online and in pharmacies. You can buy vanilla for growing yourself at a flower shop or online.
The price of vanilla pods is about 700 rubles for 4 g. The cost of ground vanilla for 10 g is about 300 rubles. The price of natural extract ranges from 1000 rubles per 100 ml. Vanilla essential oil costs about 100 rubles per 10 ml.
What to remember
- Vanilla and vanillin are different products.
- Vanilla pods have no smell or taste before fermentation.
- Vanilla helps cope with midges and mosquitoes.
The spice is actively used in cooking, cosmetology and perfumery.
Vanilla is a genus of the same name of perennial vines and their fruits of the Orchidaceae family.
Vanilla is a spice that, due to its subtle but rich and persistent sweetish aroma, is actively used in cooking, cosmetology and perfumery. However, due to the labor-intensive processing and cultivation process, vanilla is one of the most expensive spices in the world. The fruits of vanilla, for which the plant is actually cultivated, are brown or almost black elastic, soft and oily slightly rounded pods 10-20 cm long, sometimes covered with a coating of white crystals, but this feature belongs to the best varieties of vanilla.
Vanilla is native to Central America and Mexico. Currently, vanilla is also cultivated in Madagascar, China and Indonesia.
Composition of vanilla (per 100g)(we are talking about pods) the following: proteins - 1.2 g, carbohydrates - 12.5 g, fats - 0.1 g, essential oils, aromatic substance vanillin aldehyde (1.5-3%), resins, tannins, sugars. And also a small amount of B vitamins (B2, B5, B1, B3, B4, B6) and minerals - calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron and zinc.
Vanilla calories is about 287 kcal/100g.
In cooking, expensive natural vanilla are replaced with a synthetic analogue - vanillin, which often acts as a raw material for flavoring baked goods and desserts. But only the most expensive confectionery shops can afford to use natural vanilla. In general, vanilla, and more often vanillin, is used in the manufacture of chocolates, chocolate, biscuits, cookies, creams, vanilla sugar, jellies, puddings, mousses, cottage cheese casseroles, cottage cheese desserts, confectionery and bakery products.
In addition, vanilla flavoring is used to improve the taste and aroma of tea, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails.
Beneficial properties of vanilla
Vanilla has antioxidant, sedative, antipyretic and calming properties. In addition, vanilla is an aphrodisiac and with regular use of vanilla essential oil, it is beneficial for frigidity, impotence, erectile dysfunction and loss of libido. Vanilla essential oil stimulates the secretion of certain hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, etc., which contribute to normal sexual desire.
The antioxidant properties of vanilla neutralize free radicals and protect the body from some forms of cancer.
Vanilla essential oil can effectively reduce fever while fighting infections due to the presence of components such as eugenol and vanillin hydroxybenzaldehyde in it.
Thanks to its sedative properties, vanilla and vanilla essential oil relieve all types of inflammation and hyperactivity in all systems functioning in our body, namely the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous and excretory systems. It relieves inflammation due to fever, cramps, hypersensitivity allergies.
In addition, vanilla essential oil will help normalize healthy sleep. It lowers blood pressure and has a calming effect on the brain.
Vanilla has a positive effect on women's health, in particular helps to normalize the menstrual cycle.
Vanilla essential oil and vanilla extract are used and in perfumery to create subtle sweetish notes in the bouquet, as well as in cosmetics- shampoos, shower gels, scrubs, liquid soap and bath foams.
However, in addition to the beneficial properties and widespread use vanilla has contraindications: individual intolerance and pregnancy.
Use vanilla incense sticks to create a romantic mood, light the stick and enjoy this subtle, sophisticated aroma!
Vanillin is a spice with a pleasant, sweet smell that is extracted from the vanilla fruit. It is a colorless powder consisting of small crystals. Vanillin is used for the production of baked goods and confectionery products, as well as for the creation of perfume compositions.
Natural vanillin is extracted from vanilla pods
Appearance
Vanillin is extracted from a plant called Vanilla planifolia. This flower belongs to the orchid family. Vanilla is an evergreen, climbing plant. As it grows, it wraps around tree trunks. Its leaves are large, ovate, pointed at the end. The inflorescences are of a very unusual shape - they vaguely resemble an outstretched hand. The flowers are about 6 cm in size and are usually yellow or green. The seeds ripen in long pods, from which the spice is subsequently extracted.
Vanilla pods are collected while still green and then undergo a complex drying process.
Only manual labor is used in the production process of drying vanilla and extracting natural vanillin.
Crystals of natural vanillin are formed on the pods during the drying process in very small quantities
Where does it grow
Vanilla is native to the West Indies, a group of islands located in the Caribbean Sea. At the beginning of the 19th century, this plant was discovered by the Englishman Henry Charles Andrews, and over the next 200 years, vanilla spread to greenhouses around the world. Currently, the largest quantities of vanilla bean are grown in the southern states of the United States, Central America and northern South America, as they have the most suitable climate for this flower.
Vanilla plantations are mainly located in Madagascar and Reunion
Method of making spices
Vanillin is extracted from vanilla seeds, which ripen in pods. First, the seeds are treated with boiling water, then a long process begins, during which the seeds are alternately heated in the sun and steamed in plastic containers. This process takes about two weeks, after which the seeds darken and turn dark brown. Then, the seeds are dried and simply kept for several months so that the smell intensifies.
The following types of vanilla are cultivated today for the production of vanillin:
- Vanilla is fragrant. Grows in Mexico, Indonesia, the Caribbean and Madagascar. It is distinguished by large inflorescences. It has a rich, “warm” aroma.
- Antillean vanilla. It grows in Central America, at an altitude of 0.5 km above sea level. Most often used as an extract.
- Tahitian vanilla. The place of cultivation of this plant, which is the result of crossing the two species described above, is French Polynesia. This species is grown not only for the production of vanillin, but also for decorative purposes.
This is how natural vanillin is produced, but most of the spices sold in stores are artificially produced vanillin. It is made from various raw materials through synthesis.
Madagascar vanilla or bourbon vanilla is the highest quality
Tahitian vanilla is inferior in taste and organoleptic properties
Production of synthetic vanillin
Most of the spices sold in stores are artificially produced vanillin. It is made from various raw materials through synthesis. The possibility of synthesizing vanillin was discovered at the end of the 19th century in Germany by Wilhelm Haarmann and Ferdinand Thiemann. The production of synthetic vanillin was the first step towards the creation of artificial flavors. Currently, artificial vanillin can be obtained from a variety of substances, including eugenol, lignin and petrochemical raw materials.
Synthetic vanillin - artificial flavor
Flavor identical to natural
Vanillin, obtained by synthesis, belongs to the group of flavorings identical to natural ones. This means that it has the same chemical structure as natural vanillin and can be used as a food product. Natural-identical flavoring, as opposed to artificial flavoring, is found in materials of animal and plant origin.
Difference in smell between synthetic and natural vanilla
The difference in aroma between synthesized vanillin and natural vanilla is, in fact, very significant. According to research, the smell of vanilla contains four hundred different components, and vanillin is only one of them. Therefore, the aroma of real vanilla is much richer and more multifaceted than the smell of an artificial substitute.
The aroma of natural vanilla is much softer and more versatile than its synthetic counterpart.
Characteristics
- white or colorless powder;
- sweet aroma;
- bitter taste.
Nutritional value and calorie content
Nutritional value and calorie content per 100 grams of product
Chemical composition
The composition of natural vanillin includes:
- essential oil;
- gluco-vanillin;
- tannin;
- cinnamon ester.
Where and how to choose
In specialized stores selling professional bakery and confectionery products, vanilla can be purchased in a variety of forms: in pods, in powder, and also in the form of an extract or essence. Synthesized vanillin is sold in any grocery store.
A quality product should have a strong, rich aroma. If you purchase vanilla pods, make sure that they are long, soft and bend well.
The vanilla beans should be buttery and bend well.
Natural vanillin is very expensive and is produced in minute quantities, so it is almost impossible to find it on the shelves
You can find synthesized vanillin in any store or markets.
Beneficial features
- calms and relaxes;
- is a good antidepressant;
- has antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects;
- considered a natural aphrodisiac;
- normalizes metabolism;
- helps relieve allergy symptoms;
- has an anti-inflammatory effect;
- is an antimicrobial agent.
Harm
- may cause a severe allergic reaction, manifested in irritation of the skin and mucous membranes.
Oil
Vanilla essential oil has a strong, spicy-sweet aroma that lasts for many years. It has found application in medicine, cosmetology and aromatherapy. Vanilla oil is included in many cosmetics and perfumes. Not only is it an excellent flavoring agent, but it also has a calming and rejuvenating effect. The beneficial properties of this oil allow it to be used to combat various diseases. Vanilla essential oil can be used internally, in the form of inhalations or aroma lamps, and also added to a bath or massage mixture.
Vanilla essential oil awakens feelings and improves mood
Application
In cooking
- vanillin is added to baked goods to give it a special aroma;
- vanillin is an essential component of many recipes for sweet creams and sauces;
- housewives often add vanillin to berry and fruit jams;
- most confectionery products, including chocolate, caramel, soufflé, etc., contain vanillin;
- sometimes vanillin is used to flavor alcoholic beverages, for example, liqueurs and some types of vodka;
- Vanillin is added to dairy and curd products to make them more flavorful.
Adding vanillin to any milkshake will make the taste of the drink rich and refined.
Without vanillin, you won’t be able to make traditional Easter cottage cheese.
Take 4 eggs and separate the whites from the yolks. Slowly beat the egg whites, gradually adding a glass of sugar and a pinch of vanillin. After this, without stopping whisking, pour the yolks into the resulting mass. Then, kneading the dough from bottom to top, add a glass of sifted flour. Then set the oven temperature to 200 degrees and let it preheat. While the oven is heating, prepare a baking dish. The bottom can be greased with oil or covered with parchment paper. The cake should be baked for 20-25 minutes.
Curd vanilla cream
Beat 2/3 of a standard package of butter, 170 grams of cottage cheese and 1 tsp into a homogeneous mass. vanillin. Beat at low speed. Then add a glass of powdered sugar and beat the mixture again, this time gradually increasing the speed to maximum. The cream is ready!
In medicine
Natural vanillin can be used as an aid to combat the following diseases:
- rheumatic pains;
- digestive disorders;
- fever;
- mental disorders;
- depression;
- sleep disorders;
- diseases of the nervous system;
- skin inflammation;
- poor health on critical days;
- menstrual irregularities;
- intestinal colic.
When losing weight
Many modern weight loss systems include vanilla, but not as a food additive, but as a powerful antidepressant. Inhaling the sweet aroma of vanilla helps fight bad mood, relieves anxiety and calms nerves. In addition, when inhaling this smell, a person produces hormones that block the feeling of hunger.
Vanillin is always added to protein shakes for weight loss.
At home
If you dilute a bag of vanillin in water and sprinkle your clothes and skin with this solution, you can relax in nature without fear of an invasion of midges, since the sweet smell repels these insects.
Take vanillin sachets on a hike - an aqueous solution of vanillin will save you from midges
- Natural vanillin is considered one of the most expensive spices in the world.
- Some Native American tribes used vanilla beans instead of money.
Representing colorless crystals with an odor. Vanillin is used in cooking, perfume and pharmaceutical industries. In the confectionery industry, vanillin is added to baking dough, cakes, pastries, cocktails, ice cream, chocolate, desserts and other confectionery products. Adding vanillin gives the culinary product a vanilla flavor. Vanillin sold in stores looks like a white powder, sometimes with a yellowish tint.
Vanillin composition:
The chemical formula of vanillin is C8H8O3. The chemical name of crystalline vanillin is 4-hydroxy, 3-methoxybenzaldehyde. 100 grams of vanillin contains:
- 12.65 grams carbohydrates;
- 0.1 grams of fat;
- 0.1 grams of protein.
The nutritional value of vanillin per 100 grams of product is 288 kcal.
Vanillin production:
In its natural form, vanillin is found in vanilla fruits. It constitutes approximately 2% of the dry weight of processed vanilla fruit. Vanillin is also isolated from cinnamon fruits and orchid vines. Madagascar supplies a large share of natural vanillin to the world market.
The cost of producing natural vanillin is very high. First, the vanilla fruits need to be collected, then kept for several months, then treated with boiling water, then heated and steamed for 1-2 weeks. During processing, the fruits acquire a dark brown color. Next, the seeds are dried and kept for several months, during which their smell intensifies. Such a complex technological process for producing natural vanillin greatly increases its cost, making it accessible only to rich people.
In production and everyday life, crystalline vanillin is mainly used, identical to natural, obtained through synthesis. Nowadays, a large share of vanillin is produced from petrochemical raw materials. It is a two-step process in which guaiacol reacts with glyoxylic acid. This produces vanillylmandelic acid, which is then oxidized to 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycolic acid and decarboxylated to form vanillin. In Russia, crystalline vanillin is produced according to GOST 16599-71. The cost of vanillin varies on the Russian market, but on average, we can say that 5 grams of crystalline vanillin costs about 25 rubles.
Use of vanillin - how much to add:
Vanillin should be added in the amount specified in the recipe, but if you are preparing your own dish, it is recommended to add vanillin in the following proportion: 1 gram of vanillin to flavor 1 kilogram of dough. If you add more vanillin than the specified amount, the finished dish may have a bitter taste. Before adding to a dish, it is recommended to first dilute vanillin in warm water in a ratio of 1 to 20. It is recommended to add vanillin to dough before cooking, and to drinks, soufflés and puddings - to a dish that has not yet cooled down.
How to replace vanillin:
Vanillin can be replaced with vanilla sugar, natural vanilla or vanilla essence, but the proportions must be taken into account. Vanilla sugar should be put into the dish somewhere 7-10 times more than vanillin. When using a natural vanilla pod, you need to take 1 pod, cut it lengthwise and scrape out the small black-brown grains, which you add to the dish. If you use vanilla essence, then 3-5 drops per 1 kilogram of product will be enough. If the presence of vanilla aroma in a dish is not important, then vanillin can be replaced with another flavoring or abandoned altogether, but the dish will no longer have its original taste, as intended by the author of the recipe.
What is the difference between vanillin and vanilla sugar:
Vanilla sugar is not vanillin, but vanilla sugar can be a good substitute for vanillin in some recipes. Vanilla sugar is a mixture of powdered sugar or granulated sugar with vanillin, that is, vanilla sugar contains vanillin, but it is diluted with sugar. When adding vanilla sugar to a dish, you need more of it than vanilla flavoring. To add vanilla flavor to 1 kilogram of dough, you can add 1 teaspoon of vanilla sugar, but you only need to add 1 gram of vanilla, that is, at the tip of a knife, otherwise the taste of the dish will be bitter. This is the difference between vanilla sugar and vanillin - vanilla sugar, in addition to vanillin, also contains granulated sugar, and vanillin is a flavoring in its pure form, identical to natural vanilla.
Benefits of vanillin:
The main benefit of vanillin is its calming effect on the human body. Having a pleasant smell and taste, vanillin allows you to relax, relieve irritation, and eliminate insomnia. The pleasant vanilla aroma and taste sets you up for good thoughts and charges you with a good mood for the whole day. In addition, vanillin is an aphrodisiac.
Vanillin harm:
Vanillin can cause harm to the human body only if it is individually intolerant and is consumed excessively. In this case, it may cause allergic reactions.
Crystalline vanillin sold in stores is a chemical flavor identical to natural, and chemical products are generally not beneficial to humans. It should also be taken into account that the effects of various flavors on the body have not yet been fully studied by scientists, so vanillin consumption should be very limited.
Shelf life and storage of vanillin:
The shelf life and storage of vanillin depends on the specific manufacturer and usually ranges from 6 to 12 months. For exact information, check the expiration date on the package. It is recommended to store vanillin at a relative humidity of no more than 70% and a temperature no higher than +25 degrees Celsius.
vanilla plant
Spice vanilla
Vanilla
In a word vanilla called a spice in the form of dark brown pods, twisted into sticks 10-20 centimeters long, elastic and oily to the touch, bitter in taste. These pods are the fruits of plants of the genus of perennial vines of the orchid family. The plants themselves are also called vanilla. The main substance isolated from vanilla and giving it the well-known smell was called vanillin.
Vanillin
Vanillin– a chemical substance that has the formula C 8 H 8 O 3 and appears to be colorless needle-shaped crystals with a vanilla scent.
Vanillin used in confectionery, primarily chocolate, production, in the production of baked goods, curd cheeses, ice cream, alcoholic beverages, etc.
In nature, the most vanillin is found in vanilla fruits. But, due to the high cost of obtaining natural vanillin(i.e. from vanilla fruits), synthetic methods for its production are now used.
Many years vanillin It is used in the household in the form of vanilla sugar or powder. They are a mixture of granulated sugar or powdered sugar with vanillin, the content of which ranges from 2.0 to 3.7%. In addition, vanilla essence (a solution of vanillin in ethyl alcohol) is used both at home and in production.
Ethyl vanillin
Another purely synthetic, more expensive, but with a stronger odor substance has also found use - ethyl vanillin(C 9 H 10 O 3).
Ethyl vanillin are metabolized in the same way as vanillin, only instead of vanillic acid, the main product of metabolism here is ethylvanillic acid, which, together with other products (ethylvanillin alcohol, ethylvanylglycine), is perfectly excreted in the urine. Therefore the application ethyl vanillin As a food additive it is considered as safe as vanillin.
Vanilla flavor
Vanilla flavor is a mixture of vanillin and other flavoring substances. They can be either powdered or liquid, depending on the carrier. Since they contain other aromatic components in addition to vanillin, they have a more complex aroma, often close to the aroma of natural vanilla.
