Vanilla thrives as the fruit of a demanding orchid and is one of the most expensive spices in the world. The Aztecs respectfully called the valuable contents of the pods 'nectar of the gods'. Read here what properties are hidden in the magical capsule fruit.
What properties does vanilla have?
Vanilla has both culinary and medicinal properties. In the kitchen it gives a unique aroma and enhances the taste of food. Medicinally, it has a calming effect on the stomach and psyche, relieves stress and lifts the mood.
Sweet temptation from the kitchen
Without vanilla, a variety of sweet and savory, cold and warm dishes with boring tastes would be served on the plate. Real vanilla contains more than 250 organic components that, in a natural combination, pamper our palate. The most important component is vanillin, which makes up around 4 percent in each pod. These properties come into play during the preparation:
- Pastry, ice cream and pudding get an inimitable flavor with vanilla
- Vanilla gives hot and sour dishes more mildness
- In bland foods, a few drops of vanilla extract enhance the taste
It's not just the seeds within the pod that develop their special properties. The shells of the capsule fruits themselves also boast a delicious aroma.
Medically valuable attributes – vanilla lifts the mood
The pharmaceutical industry and cosmetics manufacturers have long since discovered the special properties of vanilla. Real vanilla has a reputation for having a positive influence on the human psyche as a fragrance. Stress is reduced, anxiety is reduced and mood is lifted when the scent of vanilla is inhaled. Vanilla is therefore just as widely represented in aromatherapy as it is in the production of perfume, soaps and other personal care products.
Vanilla calms the stomach
If you find the stress and time pressure of everyday life getting on your stomach, you will benefit from the real properties of vanilla. A few drops of vanilla extract drizzled into tea, water or juice will calm a rebellious stomach in no time. Or you can follow the example of the famous Aztec ruler, Montezuma II. The king swore by vanilla-spiced cocoa and drank up to 50 cups of the hot drink every day.
Tip
Has the magical vanilla cast its spell on you? Then grow the unique orchid with its seductive pods yourself. The best prospects for a rich harvest are offered by cultivation in a tropically warm, bright greenhouse with a humidity of 70 to 80 percent. Cultivated as a houseplant, the Vanilla planifolia rarely produces the longed-for flower dress.
