Where does vanilla really come from?
Vanilla comes from orchids of the genus Vanilla. While the major species of vanilla orchids are now grown around the world, they originally came from Mesoamerica, including parts of modern day Mexico and Guatemala. The vanilla orchid is a vine-like plant that grows up trees.
Where in the world does vanilla come from?
While Madagascar produces approximately half of the world’s crop, vanilla also comes from Mexico, French Polynesia, Uganda, China, and Indonesia, among other countries, and will have different flavor profiles depending on place of origin.
Where does the genus Vanilla come from?
Vanilla is a spice derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, primarily obtained from pods of the Mexican species, flat-leaved vanilla ( V. planifolia ). The word vanilla, derived from vainilla, the diminutive of the Spanish word vaina ( vaina itself meaning a sheath or a pod ), is translated simply as "little pod".
Where does the vanilla flower came from?
Vanilla orchids are native to Mexico, where they were originally enjoyed by the Maya and were later grown by the Totonac people of present-day Veracruz. As far back in pre-Columbian times, vanilla was used alongside cacao beans to flavor chocolate. Although European conquerors tried to grow this orchid, they didn’t succeed.
World Vanilla Leaders
In 2016, the world’s largest vanilla-producing country was Madagascar with an output of 2,926 tons of vanilla followed by Indonesia at 2,304 tons, showcasing an increasing trend in production of vanilla across much of Asia and Africa. Both countries are far above the 885 tons from China and the 513 tons from Mexico.
A Risky Spice for Investors
Natural vanilla is said to be the 2nd most expensive spice in the globe, second only to saffron. This is due to its intensively-involved methods of cultivation, which also makes the vanilla industry one of the world’s most volatile markets.
Are Poor Job Markets Conducive to High Vanilla Output?
Due to the fact that vanilla production is highly labor-intensive in nature, countries with the lowest labor costs are favored. Countries such as China may struggle to gain much ground in the market because workers there are most likely going to demand higher incomes as the Chinese economy continues to grow.
The Rise of Synthetic Vanilla
Other countries like Papua New Guinea (502 tons), Turkey (303 tons), and Tonga (180 tons) make up most of the rest of the world largest vanilla production.
The Leading Countries In Vanilla Production In The World
The leading countries in vanilla production in the world are Madagascar, Indonesia and Mexico. These countries produce most of the world’s vanilla. As these three countries export their vanilla to other parts of the world, their economies have benefited from it.
Where is the best vanilla in the world?
In the early 1700s, French explorers traveled to the islands in both Madagascar and Réunion, French Polynesia to find the best vanilla. They found that Réunion had several small islands that had the best vanilla in all of the world.
What country has the best vanilla extract?
The United States is the country with the highest quality vanilla extract in the world. It has been produced in the country since 1847, and represents 11% of all vanilla extract consumed globally.
Why is Costco vanilla so expensive?
Costco is a business and they have to make money. But they do really good work, so they have lots of customers. There’s nothing illegal going on at Costco. They all buy the same product, vanilla extract. Vanilla extract, just like coffee, tea bags or bottled water.
Physical description
Vanilla plants have a long, fleshy climbing stem that attaches to trees by aerial rootlets; roots also penetrate the soil. Numerous flowers open a few at a time and last a single day during the blooming season, which lasts about two months.
Curing and processing
An overview of the history, chemistry, and economics of natural and synthetic vanilla.
1. Madagascar
Madagascar is the world’s Biggest Vanilla-Producing Country, contributing more than 50% to world vanilla production. When viewed from a historical perspective, this plant has long been cultivated since the era of French colonialism.
2. Indonesia
Indonesia is the 2 nd biggest vanilla-producing country in the world. In 2019, the total vanilla production reached 2,329 tons with around 52.58% of its domestic vanilla exported to other countries. The total value of Indonesian Vanilla exports reached 87.84 million dollars.
3. Mexico
Mexico is the 3rd biggest vanilla-producing country in the world. In 2019, the country’s production reached 522 tons. Furthermore, In Mexico, there are some area productions of Vanilla namely are Totonacapan, the Veracruz region, and Oaxaca and Puebla.
4. Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is the world’s 4th largest producer. In 2019, its vanilla production reached 495 tons. There are 2 types of vanilla grown in this country: Bourbon ( Vanilla planifolia) and Tahitian ( V tahitensis ).
5. China
China is the world’s 5th biggest producer. In 2019, vanilla production reached 379 tons. Many of these plant development projects are often interrupted and hampered by unexpected production.
Bibliography 10 Biggest Countries of Vanilla Production in The World
Zu, Annah .2018. Bracing for the Vanilla Boom accessed via https://www.sapiens.org/culture/madagascar-vanilla-boom/ on July 1, 2020
For starters, what is vanilla?
To understand vanilla extract, you’ve got to know the basics about vanilla. First off, a vanilla bean is no bean—it’s actually the fruit of orchids in the genus Vanilla. Those vanilla orchids only grow in a very small subsection of the world, with Madagascar producing a whopping 80%.
I have a vanilla bean. Now what do I do?
To get to the seeds of the bean, use a paring knife to make a slit down the pod’s length, leaving the bottom intact. Open the sides like shutters to expose the grainy insides. Pressing gently, drag the flat side of the knife down the pod, gathering the seeds as you go. Then you’re ready to drop it into whatever sweet treat you’re cooking up.
Where does vanilla extract come from?
Vanilla extract—the kind that explicitly says “pure vanilla extract” on its label—is made by soaking vanilla beans in an alcohol solution to “extract” (get it?) all of their flavor compounds. According to the FDA, vanilla extract must be at least 35% alcohol with a minimum of 100 grams of vanilla beans per liter.
Pure Vanilla Extract
Or, make your own extract at home with vanilla beans and high-proof liquor like bourbon, vodka, or rum. You can store extract, whether store-bought or homemade, in a cool, dark place almost indefinitely.
Where does imitation vanilla come from?
Ninety-nine percent of the world’s vanilla extract is fake imitation vanilla that’s not a product of the plant itself. Instead, it's flavored primarily with synthetic vanillin (a lab-produced version of the same chemical compound that occurs naturally in real vanilla ).
What other forms does vanilla come in?
While extract and whole beans are among the most popular sources of vanilla flavor, they’re not the only ones out there. You can also purchase vanilla in the form of vanilla bean paste. A combination of vanilla bean seeds, extract, sugar, and natural gum thickeners, it gives you those classic speckles for a fraction of the price as whole beans.
Vanilla Bean Paste
Vanilla powder is less common and less versatile, but good for dry mixes like homemade pancake mix or dry rubs—it’s made from dried vanilla beans ground into a fine powder.
