Hello!
Hello!

Can you imagine what the world would be like without desserts and without the delicate
Can you imagine what the world would be like without desserts and without the delicate

aroma of vanilla?
aroma of vanilla?

Nearly a third of the world's ice cream lovers choose vanilla as their first choice.
Nearly a third of the world's ice cream lovers choose vanilla as their first choice.

Vanilla is everywhere - from ice cream to cakes, and even in perfumes.
Vanilla is everywhere - from ice cream to cakes, and even in perfumes.

Vanilla flavor - popular all over the world.
Vanilla flavor - popular all over the world.

Natural vanilla prices have skyrocketed in recent years.
Natural vanilla prices have skyrocketed in recent years.

At one time it was even more expensive than silver by weight.
At one time it was even more expensive than silver by weight.

But the history of this beloved fragrance is nothing like vanilla.
But the history of this beloved fragrance is nothing like vanilla.

How is it that this flavor has become the standard flavor for some of the world's most
How is it that this flavor has become the standard flavor for some of the world's most

popular desserts, while vanilla has become so expensive?
popular desserts, while vanilla has become so expensive?

Nearly 80% of the world's vanilla is grown in the ideal climate -
Nearly 80% of the world's vanilla is grown in the ideal climate -

northeastern Madagascar.
northeastern Madagascar.

It is the main export crop of the country.
It is the main export crop of the country.

Also among the largest producers are Indonesia and China.
Also among the largest producers are Indonesia and China.

For farmers in Madagascar, life becomes much sweeter when the price of vanilla rises.
For farmers in Madagascar, life becomes much sweeter when the price of vanilla rises.

And it is constantly growing.
And it is constantly growing.

If in 2014 vanilla cost $80 per kilogram, three years later it had already risen to
If in 2014 vanilla cost $80 per kilogram, three years later it had already risen to

$600.
$600.

Today the price has stabilized at around $500.
Today the price has stabilized at around $500.

The rise in prices is partly due to global demand.
The rise in prices is partly due to global demand.

This natural food trend means food companies are avoiding synthetic flavors.
This natural food trend means food companies are avoiding synthetic flavors.

But the price can change very quickly.
But the price can change very quickly.

Price fluctuations affect agricultural producers everywhere.
Price fluctuations affect agricultural producers everywhere.

In just a few weeks, the price can rise or fall by more than 20%.
In just a few weeks, the price can rise or fall by more than 20%.

The thing is, it's just a tiny industry.
The thing is, it's just a tiny industry.

After all, one cyclone can completely destroy the entire crop in Madagascar, and growing
After all, one cyclone can completely destroy the entire crop in Madagascar, and growing

this crop is very difficult and delicate.
this crop is very difficult and delicate.

Vanilla is considered to be native to South America.
Vanilla is considered to be native to South America.

The Aztecs loved and appreciated it very much, added it to hot chocolate, and also used it
The Aztecs loved and appreciated it very much, added it to hot chocolate, and also used it

instead of money, since it was very much in demand and was very rare.
instead of money, since it was very much in demand and was very rare.

Ancient Mexicans, the Totonacs, first discovered that vanilla grows in the Mesoamerican regions
Ancient Mexicans, the Totonacs, first discovered that vanilla grows in the Mesoamerican regions

of what are now Mexico and Guatemala.
of what are now Mexico and Guatemala.

Throughout history, vanilla has been used for a variety of purposes, ranging from an
Throughout history, vanilla has been used for a variety of purposes, ranging from an

aphrodisiac to medicines to treat male impotence and snake bites.
aphrodisiac to medicines to treat male impotence and snake bites.

It was a kind of universal medicine.
It was a kind of universal medicine.

But once people tasted its intoxicating sweetness, they were hooked.
But once people tasted its intoxicating sweetness, they were hooked.

Today, at these prices, vanilla pods are the second most expensive spice in the world after
Today, at these prices, vanilla pods are the second most expensive spice in the world after

saffron.
saffron.

And that's why 99% of the vanilla-flavored products that are consumed today are made
And that's why 99% of the vanilla-flavored products that are consumed today are made

from artificially prepared vanillin, not orchid vanilla pods.
from artificially prepared vanillin, not orchid vanilla pods.

Vanilla planifolia orchids produce vanilla pods.
Vanilla planifolia orchids produce vanilla pods.

Vanilla is a plant that belongs to the orchid family.
Vanilla is a plant that belongs to the orchid family.

This is a vine with pod fruits.
This is a vine with pod fruits.

When fresh, vanilla pods are juicy green (at the beginning of growth) color.
When fresh, vanilla pods are juicy green (at the beginning of growth) color.

Vanilla is one of the most demanding crops to grow.
Vanilla is one of the most demanding crops to grow.

But from a botanical point of view, the fruit of vanilla, like all orchids, is called a
But from a botanical point of view, the fruit of vanilla, like all orchids, is called a

“box” (unlike a real pod, it does not have a partition).
“box” (unlike a real pod, it does not have a partition).

Vanilla may be familiar in the form of dry, thin pods 15 to 25 centimeters long, which
Vanilla may be familiar in the form of dry, thin pods 15 to 25 centimeters long, which

can be broken open to scrape out the tiny black seeds.
can be broken open to scrape out the tiny black seeds.

These vanilla beans are actually the dried fruit of the orchid from which the spice gets
These vanilla beans are actually the dried fruit of the orchid from which the spice gets

its name: Vanilla planifolia.
its name: Vanilla planifolia.

Natural vanilla is used to flavor only the most expensive confectionery and sweet dishes,
Natural vanilla is used to flavor only the most expensive confectionery and sweet dishes,

in particular, chocolate and cocoa-containing products, biscuits and biscuit dough products,
in particular, chocolate and cocoa-containing products, biscuits and biscuit dough products,

as well as creams and ice creams.
as well as creams and ice creams.

Vanilla cultivation begins with seedlings.
Vanilla cultivation begins with seedlings.

Saplings are nursed for several months in the nursery.
Saplings are nursed for several months in the nursery.

Here, active preparations are underway for transplanting plants into the ground.
Here, active preparations are underway for transplanting plants into the ground.

Vanilla is a climbing plant, therefore, first of all, they prepare posts for support and
Vanilla is a climbing plant, therefore, first of all, they prepare posts for support and

soil.
soil.

For better plant growth, wood waste is added to the soil.
For better plant growth, wood waste is added to the soil.

Preference is given to a mulch containing shredded coconut shells.
Preference is given to a mulch containing shredded coconut shells.

Over time, the waste will decompose and become nutrients for plants.
Over time, the waste will decompose and become nutrients for plants.

One farmer, for example, invented such special containers for growing vanilla.
One farmer, for example, invented such special containers for growing vanilla.

He simply filled metal baskets with massive coconut shells.
He simply filled metal baskets with massive coconut shells.

He did this for a simple reason - orchids are an epiphyte, that is, a plant that grows
He did this for a simple reason - orchids are an epiphyte, that is, a plant that grows

on the surface of another plant and receives moisture and nutrients from air, rain and
on the surface of another plant and receives moisture and nutrients from air, rain and

water.
water.

Epiphytes differ from parasites in that they grow on other plants for physical support
Epiphytes differ from parasites in that they grow on other plants for physical support

and do not necessarily have a negative effect on the host.
and do not necessarily have a negative effect on the host.

In this case, the farmer wrapped the coconuts with organic wire, which will slowly rot and
In this case, the farmer wrapped the coconuts with organic wire, which will slowly rot and

provide the necessary minerals to the plant.
provide the necessary minerals to the plant.

Vanilla roots permeate this structure and the plant becomes stronger and more resilient.
Vanilla roots permeate this structure and the plant becomes stronger and more resilient.

Finally, the workers start planting vines.
Finally, the workers start planting vines.

They are placed in a prepared hole in which a layer of humus is poured.
They are placed in a prepared hole in which a layer of humus is poured.

Liana is attached to the post.
Liana is attached to the post.

Each vine will take 3-4 years for the plant to mature and bloom.
Each vine will take 3-4 years for the plant to mature and bloom.

Orchids only bloom once a year for 24 hours or so, which means growers have to check every
Orchids only bloom once a year for 24 hours or so, which means growers have to check every

single flower so they can hand-pollinate them with a wooden needle at the right time.
single flower so they can hand-pollinate them with a wooden needle at the right time.

If one flower is missed, it will not bear fruit until the next growing season.
If one flower is missed, it will not bear fruit until the next growing season.

Vanilla flowers are hermaphrodites.
Vanilla flowers are hermaphrodites.

Depending on the variety, vanilla blooms with beautiful white, beige or pale yellowish flowers.
Depending on the variety, vanilla blooms with beautiful white, beige or pale yellowish flowers.

Flowers bloom early in the morning, and wither in the evening, and in order to avoid overheating
Flowers bloom early in the morning, and wither in the evening, and in order to avoid overheating

and dehydration, you need to have time to pollinate the plant between 6 and 11 am.
and dehydration, you need to have time to pollinate the plant between 6 and 11 am.

An experienced worker manages to process 1000-1500 flowers per day.
An experienced worker manages to process 1000-1500 flowers per day.

As a rule, women are engaged in pollination.
As a rule, women are engaged in pollination.

This is what artificial pollination looks like.
This is what artificial pollination looks like.

After that, the process of fetal formation begins.
After that, the process of fetal formation begins.

It remains only to wait for the harvest.
It remains only to wait for the harvest.

For 6-9 months after pollination and before harvest, farmers must keep a vigilant eye
For 6-9 months after pollination and before harvest, farmers must keep a vigilant eye

on their crops, sometimes choosing to sleep with their crops to prevent "vanilla thieves"
on their crops, sometimes choosing to sleep with their crops to prevent "vanilla thieves"

from stealing what is often their only source of income.
from stealing what is often their only source of income.

They cannot rely on the state.
They cannot rely on the state.

To protect their crops, they have to take matters into their own hands.
To protect their crops, they have to take matters into their own hands.

Due to rampant theft, farmers often resort to picking the pods before they are ripe.
Due to rampant theft, farmers often resort to picking the pods before they are ripe.

As a result, the quality of the resulting vanilla is significantly reduced.
As a result, the quality of the resulting vanilla is significantly reduced.

Accordingly, the price and profit decrease.
Accordingly, the price and profit decrease.

This state of affairs leads to market instability.
This state of affairs leads to market instability.

Today, vanilla production does not cover world demand.
Today, vanilla production does not cover world demand.

It's hard to tell by eye when vanilla beans are ready to be harvested, but small farmers
It's hard to tell by eye when vanilla beans are ready to be harvested, but small farmers

have developed a "sixth sense" that allows them to tell when vanilla beans are ready
have developed a "sixth sense" that allows them to tell when vanilla beans are ready

to be picked from the vine.
to be picked from the vine.

The pods begin to acquire their characteristic vanilla aroma and taste only after they have
The pods begin to acquire their characteristic vanilla aroma and taste only after they have

been processed and dried.
been processed and dried.

They then need to be quickly sorted and packaged before being sold to processing plants.
They then need to be quickly sorted and packaged before being sold to processing plants.

Successful pollination produces a 15-25 cm pod with thousands of tiny seeds inside it.
Successful pollination produces a 15-25 cm pod with thousands of tiny seeds inside it.

The pods take nine months to mature and must be harvested by hand.
The pods take nine months to mature and must be harvested by hand.

They are harvested at the moment when they begin to turn yellow and contain approximately
They are harvested at the moment when they begin to turn yellow and contain approximately

80% water.
80% water.

During this period of plant development, it contains the maximum amount of essential oils
During this period of plant development, it contains the maximum amount of essential oils

that give it aroma and taste.
that give it aroma and taste.

At the same time, the harvested fruits do not have their characteristic smell before
At the same time, the harvested fruits do not have their characteristic smell before

processing.
processing.

This flavor comes from a chemical compound called vanillin, which only comes out when
This flavor comes from a chemical compound called vanillin, which only comes out when

the fruit is boiled or roasted and then dried.
the fruit is boiled or roasted and then dried.

Harvesting is quite simple - the pods are simply cut from the plant.
Harvesting is quite simple - the pods are simply cut from the plant.

It takes approximately 2.5 -3 kg to produce 500 grams of processed vanilla.
It takes approximately 2.5 -3 kg to produce 500 grams of processed vanilla.

green pods.
green pods.

The production technology of this spice is quite complicated.
The production technology of this spice is quite complicated.

At the first stage, unripe fruits are harvested, washed and immersed for 20 seconds in hot
At the first stage, unripe fruits are harvested, washed and immersed for 20 seconds in hot

water (80-85 ° C), thus carrying out a kind of short-term blanching.
water (80-85 ° C), thus carrying out a kind of short-term blanching.

Then the fruits are exposed to the sun in woolen towels to “sweat” so that the pod
Then the fruits are exposed to the sun in woolen towels to “sweat” so that the pod

stops ripening and begins to ferment.
stops ripening and begins to ferment.

Next, the pods are dried in the sun for two weeks.
Next, the pods are dried in the sun for two weeks.

For the next 30 days, the pods will be slowly dried indoors.
For the next 30 days, the pods will be slowly dried indoors.

This is how fruit fermentation takes place.
This is how fruit fermentation takes place.

Only after fermentation does vanilla acquire its characteristic aroma and brown color.
Only after fermentation does vanilla acquire its characteristic aroma and brown color.

After that, the spice is dried in the shade in the open air for several months.
After that, the spice is dried in the shade in the open air for several months.

After the appearance of a white coating on the pods, it is considered that the spice
After the appearance of a white coating on the pods, it is considered that the spice

is ready for use.
is ready for use.

The vanilla is then processed.
The vanilla is then processed.

It is sorted and only after that the fruits will be ready for packaging and transportation
It is sorted and only after that the fruits will be ready for packaging and transportation

for sale.
for sale.

The growing and processing process is so complex that only about 2,000 tons of vanilla beans
The growing and processing process is so complex that only about 2,000 tons of vanilla beans

are harvested annually in the world.
are harvested annually in the world.

The quality of vanilla depends on many factors, ranging from the botanical species of the
The quality of vanilla depends on many factors, ranging from the botanical species of the

vine from which it is obtained, and ending with the conditions for fermentation and drying.
vine from which it is obtained, and ending with the conditions for fermentation and drying.

Therefore, in world practice, vanilla is divided into 8 varieties according to quality.
Therefore, in world practice, vanilla is divided into 8 varieties according to quality.

It was not easy for Europeans to grow vanilla.
It was not easy for Europeans to grow vanilla.

When the Spanish brought vanilla to Europe at the turn of the 16th century, the plants
When the Spanish brought vanilla to Europe at the turn of the 16th century, the plants

refused to adapt to new pollinators.
refused to adapt to new pollinators.

The plant took root, but the pods were not tied.
The plant took root, but the pods were not tied.

The problem was that in native Mexico, vanilla was pollinated by endemic melipon bees and
The problem was that in native Mexico, vanilla was pollinated by endemic melipon bees and

hummingbirds, which were not found in other countries.
hummingbirds, which were not found in other countries.

Botanists were in a desperate situation.
Botanists were in a desperate situation.

It wasn't until 1841 that horticulturist Edmond Albius managed to manually pollinate a vanilla
It wasn't until 1841 that horticulturist Edmond Albius managed to manually pollinate a vanilla

plant on Réunion Island with a blade of grass and a flick of his thumb.
plant on Réunion Island with a blade of grass and a flick of his thumb.

Albius was born into slavery and at that time he was only 12 years old.
Albius was born into slavery and at that time he was only 12 years old.

He learned about botany from a plantation owner, Ferréol Bellier-Beaumont.
He learned about botany from a plantation owner, Ferréol Bellier-Beaumont.

Albius began to study the vanilla plant and found its reproductive parts.
Albius began to study the vanilla plant and found its reproductive parts.

He carried the pollen grain on the stigma of the flower pistil.
He carried the pollen grain on the stigma of the flower pistil.

By this time, Beaumont had been caring for his vanilla plant for 22 years.
By this time, Beaumont had been caring for his vanilla plant for 22 years.

And Albius' efforts bore fruit for the first time.
And Albius' efforts bore fruit for the first time.

Beaumont immediately sent Albius to teach the other plantation workers the complex art.
Beaumont immediately sent Albius to teach the other plantation workers the complex art.

For the next 50 years, vanilla fascinated Europeans.
For the next 50 years, vanilla fascinated Europeans.

Reunion Island has become a major exporter of vanilla, producing nearly 200 tons per
Reunion Island has become a major exporter of vanilla, producing nearly 200 tons per

year.
year.

But without the genius of this 12-year-old enslaved botanist, vanilla would likely have
But without the genius of this 12-year-old enslaved botanist, vanilla would likely have

remained a rare and exotic spice.
remained a rare and exotic spice.

The technique of pollinating the Albius vanilla plant is still in use today.
The technique of pollinating the Albius vanilla plant is still in use today.

But how did this magical plant go from being an aphrodisiac to flavoring everything from
But how did this magical plant go from being an aphrodisiac to flavoring everything from

cookies to soup?
cookies to soup?

Albius's efforts expanded the scope of these tasty fragrant pods, but using them as a condiment
Albius's efforts expanded the scope of these tasty fragrant pods, but using them as a condiment

was not his idea.
was not his idea.

The American envoy to France, Thomas Jefferson, popularized vanilla as an ice cream condiment.
The American envoy to France, Thomas Jefferson, popularized vanilla as an ice cream condiment.

Today, a much cheaper synthetic vanillin has appeared - surprisingly, in Western supermarkets
Today, a much cheaper synthetic vanillin has appeared - surprisingly, in Western supermarkets

it is found almost more often than natural, and it costs several times cheaper, although
it is found almost more often than natural, and it costs several times cheaper, although

it has a very remote resemblance to real vanilla extract.
it has a very remote resemblance to real vanilla extract.

And yet
And yet

in recent years
in recent years

in the world, more and more people prefer to buy natural products, organic stores are
in the world, more and more people prefer to buy natural products, organic stores are

never empty, despite the prices.
never empty, despite the prices.

And this means that real vanilla has every chance to
And this means that real vanilla has every chance to

take its rightful place in the world of culinary, perfumery and cosmetology.
take its rightful place in the world of culinary, perfumery and cosmetology.

That's all.
That's all.

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