Vanilla pods, with a warm, delicate aroma, have been eaten since the time of the Aztecs, who only used them in dishes served to the royal family. Vanilla pods are the fruit of various types of orchids grown in Mexico, Tahiti and Madagascar. The demand for vanilla exceeds the supply, which is why it is still one of the most expensive spices in the world. Vanillin you know is just a product of chemical technology that mimics the taste and smell of vanilla, which is difficult to replicate.
It is necessary
Vanilla pod, cutting board, vegetable knife, sugar, alcohol
Instructions
Step 1
Choose plump, dark pods that are 5 to 7 centimeters in size.
Step 2
When cutting, place the vanilla pod on a cutting board, hold it on one side, and gently drive a thin, sharp vegetable peeler into the very end of the other side. Make an incision along the entire length of the pod. Turn the knife over and finish the cut.
Step 3
Open the pod. Inside you will see thousands of tiny black seeds, even smaller than poppy seeds. Scrape out the seeds with a knife - it's very easy. At the end, you will have a mass on the knife that looks like finely ground coffee grounds.
Step 4
Add vanilla seeds to puddings, ice cream, or other desserts that have vanilla extract specified in the recipe. Seeds from one pod are equivalent to 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. To add vanilla flavor to baked goods, mix the seeds with a small piece of dough and then knead this piece into the remaining dough.
Step 5
Do not throw away the empty pod, but put it in a hermetically sealed jar with sugar. After 5-7 days, you will have flavored vanilla sugar.
Step 6
To get a vanilla extract, place about 10 open vanilla pods in a tall dark bottle, add 200 g of alcohol or vodka and leave for 6 to 8 weeks in a dark place. Shake the bottle every 3-4 days. It is believed that the full aroma of vanilla is revealed in the extract after 6 months.
Step 7
To flavor liquids - liquor, coffee, tea - use the whole pod, along with the seeds. Break the pod in half and place in the liquid while heating. Take out the vanilla before serving. Usually one vanilla pod can be used for this purpose up to two to three times. It is important to dry it after use and put it in an airtight container.
