There is no end to people asking each other, ‘where does vanilla flavoring come from?’ Interestingly, people have been looking for an answer to this question all over the web.
You must be wondering when this vanilla flavoring trend picked up the pace. Well, it all started with a video circulation that forced people to find the answer to ‘where does vanilla flavoring come from?’
Surprisingly, various researches have shown that vanilla flavoring might come from a beaver’s secretion. Wait, what? You read that right, and it is why ‘where vanilla flavoring comes from’ is a hot topic of discussion today.
Undoubtedly, vanilla is one of the most comforting flavors. It first made its debut in the ice cream by Thomas Jefferson. Ever since, you will find it in ice creams, marshmallows, and whatnot! Well, that is enough of an introduction to vanilla. Let us know more about ‘where does vanilla flavoring come from’ and other related things.
What Makes Up Vanilla Flavoring?
If you had to prepare vanilla organically and naturally, you would have to extract it from the seeds of a specific orchid of the Vanilla genus. Nature has abundant vanilla orchids. However, Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla tahitensis are two genera that give us the seed pods that can help prepare the vanilla extracts.
These seed pods are commercially known as vanilla beans, but they are not beans in the real sense. Vanilla orchids attach themselves to trees to grow well. However, unlike parasites, vanilla orchids do not destroy the host trees as only their spongy, white roots wrap around the trees.
Where Can You Find Vanilla?
To know ‘where does vanilla flavoring come from,’ it is crucial to know where one can find it. Vanilla traces back its origin in Mexico. However, it is available across the globe in India, Papua New Guinea, North America, South America, Uganda, Indonesia, etc.
Let us now discuss how and where to find the pure vanilla extract.
Your Answer to Where Does Vanilla Flavoring Come From Naturally
Once the vanilla flowers pollinate, they mature after eight to nine months. The yellow-green tip of the pods indicates that they got harvested. These pods do not have any aroma of their own.
Now, the pods are ready to take a hot water dip and get sun-dried. This practice will allow them to mature as these pods change their color from green to mahogany. Finally, they become skinny and develop the aromatic vanilla scent.
The final process involves soaking the mature vanilla pods in alcohol to extract the flavor. This process is what gives you the much-wanted vanilla extracts.
But, What About That Beaver Secretion?
When one tries to find out ‘where does vanilla flavoring come from,’ he might come up with some uncanny results. Yes! The vanilla flavoring that you get in the market contains food additives.
Interestingly, this food additive uses a substance called castoreum. Castoreum is a secretion that gets derived from the beavers’ gland. This gland has its presence around the beaver’s butt.
The presence of castoreum in vanilla flavoring gives it the name beaver vanilla. It is why ‘where does vanilla flavoring come from’ has taken a toll on the internet.
Various food-testing organizations like FDA approve its use in flavoring extracts because it is safe to consume. Vanilla does add an irresistible taste to the food. No wonder it is an expensive flavoring agent.
If you google, ‘where does vanilla flavoring come from?’ you will also find that it is one of the most valued flavoring agents. Let us tell you why vanilla flavoring extract is expensive and valuable.
Where Does Vanilla Flavoring Come From Also Answers Why It is Expensive
If you go on a hunt for the best and most natural vanilla extract on the market, you will be stunned by seeing how much it costs. It is because the natural vanilla relies on various wild insects for pollination. Melipona bees and Euglena bees act as pollinating agents to prepare the best vanilla for you.
These are Mexican natives and require hand-picking the vanilla pods in a short span. The limited growing regions and the laborious tasks make it one of the most expensive things in the world.
Thus, if you wish to get natural and organic vanilla extracts, you will have to shell out a few more dollars. Alternatively, you could also pick the artificial vanilla flavoring agents. Let’s find out more about artificial vanilla flavoring.
Where Does Vanilla Flavoring Come From Artificially?
When it comes to ice creams and cakes, we all have an undying love for vanilla flavor. However, the only problem here is vanilla extract lags in its supply. The demand for vanilla extracts is on the rise.
The most accurate results on ‘where does vanilla flavoring come from?’ will also tell you about its high cost of production. To fairly reduce this cost, the researchers have found an alternative to meet the demand for vanilla flavoring.
The cheap version of vanillin, imitation vanilla, helps produce artificial vanilla. This version adds the comforting scent and taste to the cookies, cakes, candies, cereals, and even perfumes!
The majority of imitation vanilla is the byproduct of processing rice bran oil. Sometimes, manufacturers derive it from clove oil, wood pulp, and castoreum.
Wrapping It Up!
We are sure now you know everything about ‘where does vanilla flavoring come from’ with all this information. Basically, if you opt to buy expensive natural vanilla flavoring, it might come from the vanilla harvesting farms. However, if you consider buying natural vanilla flavoring, it might have some artificial additives. These additives can come from a couple of sources such as clove oil, castoreum, etc.
Well, that is all you need to know about vanilla flavoring. Whether it contains food additives or not, it would still give you that comforting taste you always want to have on your tongue. Also, don’t forget to check out the story on Jennifer Lopez.
