What makes pure natural vanilla more favorable compared to synthetic vanilla among chefs and household moms in their baking pleasures? The answer lies mainly on one thing; the taste. Pure vanilla is very expensive in the sense that among the hundreds of spices listed, vanilla is the most labor-intensive and requires more than a year to produce. The name vanilla comes from the Spanish word vainilla which means little pod.

The three major exporters and makers of the finest vanilla in the world are located in Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico. Most of the supplies of vanilla around the world come from Madagascar which amounts to a total of 70-80% of the global supply of vanilla. When it comes to aroma, the vanilla coming from Tahiti is the most favored because of its enticing and intoxicating scent. For some, the vanilla that came from Mexico is the most flavorful of all.

Nowadays, due to advancements in research and studies, synthetic form of vanilla was created. However, this form of vanilla is nothing compared to the pure and natural vanilla. Both differ in so many aspects with the natural form of vanilla taking the most credit and favor despite of the cheapness of the synthetic form.

Because cultivating vanilla and producing vanilla extracts and byproducts requires intensive labor, it is also very costly. One whole vanilla pod contains minutes black vanilla beans that produce up to 2-3 teaspoons of rich vanilla extract. This is the reason why the vanilla bean pods are highly valued and appreciated. The vanilla extract is used in food flavoring and other purposes like ingredients in perfumes, lotions and medicinal purposes. This aromatic spice is also useful in assisting a person in his or her weight loss regimen as well as arousal of sex drive.

The synthetic form of vanilla is poorer in quality especially when it comes to taste. Those that are sold in the market are far from coming close to the original vanilla taste. The big difference among the two is that synthetic or artificially made vanilla is not even real vanilla. Artificial vanilla is dark in color while the original form of vanilla is clear. Some of the artificially made vanillas that are sold in the market nowadays are made from the substances that are found in the sap of certain trees.

Pure vanilla stays longer whereas synthetic vanillas don’t. This is because of the fact that pure vanilla extracts contain alcohol, necessary in creating and maintaining rich flavor and aroma; whereas the synthetic form don’t. Synthetic vanillas also contain red dye that is responsible for their dark murky color.

When you buy vanilla beans or vanilla extracts and the likes, see to it that they are all natural. Be careful in buying those cheap vanillas that are sold in the market as most of them are unnatural.