Spice Report: Vanilla Bean

Taylor ScottPd. 2,3

L1 Culinary

Where do Vanilla Beans Come From?

Vanilla Bean comes from Modern-day Mexico, Madagascar, and Reunion.

The History Behind the Vanilla Bean

Aztecs invaded Mexico in the 15th century, and they conquered the Totonacs. The Aztecs found the Vanilla Bean after time. When they found it, they called it the “Black Flower”. In 1819 the French wanted to ship the vanilla fruits, to the islands of Rѐunion and Mauritius.

(French islands)

What Are the Forms of Vanilla Bean?

Vanilla Bean is mainly used in the form of a pod, seeds, powder, extract.

What Do Vanilla Beans Taste Like?

The taste of a vanilla bean is indescribable. It is like trying to describe a color. Once it is cooked it taste rich and sweet.

Cultures and Cuisines

Cultures Mexican and Asian Cuisines Kahlua- Mexican (coffee) Dulce de Leche on Obleas-Argentinean(confections) Asian Pears with Vanilla-Poached Kumquats Asian-Inspired Honey-Vanilla Chicken

Geographical Areas

Vanilla Beans grow in tropical forests. It grows in Mexico, Tahiti, Madagascar, Rѐunion,

Comoro, and other tropical areas.

What Are the Most Common Uses for Vanilla Bean?

extract the pod

Examples of Recipes With Vanilla Bean

Kahlua- Mexican (coffee)Panna Cotta with Caramel Sauce-

Italian(desert)German Butter Cake Raspberry Crème Bruleѐ- French(dessert) Dulce de Leche on Obleas-

Argentinean(confections )

How Much Do Vanilla Beans cost?

Vanilla Beans are a very expensive spice. It is actually one of the most expensive spice.

Vanilla Bean costs about $3-4 for a pod. Vanilla Bean powder cost about $3, if it is in a tall glass bottle with a cork. But for 4 oz. it costs about $4.50.

My RecipeRaspberry-Vanilla Trifle With Macaroons

• Raspberry-Vanilla Trifle with Macaroons• (Plettenpudding)

This dessert is featured in one of Germany's most popular novels, the family epic The Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann. The Lübeck-born author won the Nobel Prize for literature for his first novel which he wrote in his mid-twenties.

• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients:• 3/4 pint fresh raspberries,

or 1 (12 ounce)frozen raspberries1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar6 slices pound cake, cut into 1-inch cubes1/4 cup sherry1/4 cup strained red raspberry preserves1 cup heavy cream4 egg yolks1 cup milkseeds of 1 vanilla bean or 1 tablespoon pure vanilla bean paste1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin10 coarsely crushed macaroons

Continue….• Preparation:• Mix the raspberries with 2 tablespoons of the sugar and simmer until they release their juices but

do not fall apart. Strain the raspberries to remove any seeds. • Place half of the pound cake on the bottom of a glass serving dish with a flat bottom. Sprinkle with

half of the sherry and evenly spread with half of the raspberries. Top with the remaining pound cake, sprinkle with the remaining sherry, and spread evenly with the preserves. Set aside.

• Whip the cream in a chilled bowl until it stands in soft peaks. Refrigerate.• Beat the egg yolks with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar until light and pale yellow, using an electric

mixer. Bring the milk and vanilla to a boil in a saucepan. Remove the milk from the heat and slowly incorporate the egg yolks while stirring constantly. Continue beating the mixture over very low heat until the custard thickens but do not boil it.

• Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside.• Dissolve the gelatin in 1/4 cup cold water and stir it into the custard. Remove the pan from the heat

immediately and set it in the bowl of ice water. Stir constantly while the custard is cooling. When it starts to set, fold in the whipped cream.

• Spread the remaining raspberries on the preserves and spread with half of the custard. Sprinkle the macaroons over it and top with the rest of the custard. Chill for several hours until set.

Sources

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla •

http://www.germanfoods.org/consumer/recipes/plettenpudding.cfm

• http://ciaoflorentina.com/2011/05/20/vanilla-beans/ • http

://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Asian-Pears-with-Vanilla-Poached-Kumquats-105749

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