Vanilla

Also known as vanilla bean, banilla pod, vanilla essence and vanilla extract.

Vanilla is available dried in whole beans or pods or ground.

Store whole vanilla in sugar in an airtight container.

Vanilla is good in baked goods like cakes, pies and cookies. It is also good with chocolate, coffee, puddings, custards, ice cream, fruit desserts and liquors.

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Vanilla is native to Mexico and Central America where it is grown commercially. Vanilla is the world's third most expensive spice. Vanilla is the bean of a climbing orchid. The beans contain thousands of seeds.

The flavouring comes from the seeds inside the pod, or the bean of the vanilla plant. The beans are very dark brown, slender, pleated and between 7 and 8 inches long. Vanilla beans are very fragrant when dried.