Little over a century has passed since vanilla was introduced into the market for commercial use. Nowadays, vanilla in its pure and natural form is available in supermarkets, gourmet shops and convenience stores. Vanilla is widely used in culinary purposes as a spice or food ingredient. Pure and natural vanilla extracts are in demand nowadays not just as a main ingredient or flavoring in dishes and pastries but as scents for perfumes, lotions, aroma therapy and herbal medicines. What sets vanilla apart from other spices is its unique aroma and taste.

Organic vanilla extracts are now cultivated in different parts of the world with Madagascar, Mexico, Tahiti and Indonesia as the major players. Other countries where vanilla is grown are Jamaica, India, Costa Rica Jamaica and Uganda. The all-natural vanilla extracts are quite expensive because of its cultivation and processing history. It is ideal for use in breads and cookies, ice cream, smoothies and other beverages and tasty treats. Real organic vanilla was first produced and used in Madagascar, the major supplier of vanilla all over the world.

Vanilla in any form, may it be in extract, beans, pods, powder or paste has a strong appeal to the masses because of its distinctive aroma that’s sweet and captivating, mild yet arousing. Because of its aroma, vanilla is also used as a way to crash down on food intake. The smell of vanilla in meat sauces, marinades and dishes can already make a person feel satiated in hunger.

To complement the aroma is the sweet taste of vanilla. Some chefs blend vanilla with their gourmet dishes in order to potentiate the flavor of the gourmet. When mixed with citrus, vanilla masks the tangy taste of the fruit. However, not all vanilla byproducts – beans, pods, extracts, sugars and pastes taste the same. The flavor of vanilla is dependent to where it is cultivated. For some, the vanilla that came from Tahiti is the most flavorful.

Because vanilla in its natural form is a very expensive commodity, other people settle on using synthetic vanilla extracts and flavors in their baking and cooking needs that are found in grocery stores and super markets. However, these artificially made vanilla extracts are still no match to the high grade quality of the all-natural vanilla products – extracts, vanilla pods, vanilla beans, paste and powder. When you buy vanilla, it is always wise to buy it in its natural form to maximize the other benefits it brings.