tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post2975172223984261096..comments2024-03-29T08:29:20.833+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Herbs, Spices and Herbalists - part 4: Vanilla ...Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-1003279150795842672016-11-10T08:31:08.198+00:002016-11-10T08:31:08.198+00:00Hi Juliet - it has an interesting history, which I...Hi Juliet - it has an interesting history, which I was amazed to find out about ... and then why it is so expensive ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-66002227055139811492016-11-10T07:50:03.099+00:002016-11-10T07:50:03.099+00:00I love vanilla and it's a delight to read your...I love vanilla and it's a delight to read your post and find out where it comes from, and why it's so expensive.Juliethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542985048406828693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-78474294937447135342016-10-29T07:53:18.044+01:002016-10-29T07:53:18.044+01:00Hi Rhonda - glad you enjoyed reading about vanilla...Hi Rhonda - glad you enjoyed reading about vanilla ... and use it in your baking ... it does seemed to be teamed up with chocolate quite a lot now ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-31816965418833509982016-10-28T23:08:14.937+01:002016-10-28T23:08:14.937+01:00Thanks for the interesting facts on vanilla and it...Thanks for the interesting facts on vanilla and its cultivation. I love vanilla and use it a lot in baking (usually with chocolate).Rhonda Albomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455873487349816911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-33889286116834956212016-10-26T07:24:16.306+01:002016-10-26T07:24:16.306+01:00@ Jo - thanks, I'm sure you have ...
@ Blogor...@ Jo - thanks, I'm sure you have ...<br /><br />@ Blogoratti - good to see you back; the Victoria sponge was a rather good image I thought, my sponges would have been coffee coloured ... <br /><br />@ Beste - I'd never realised vanilla was an orchid either ... <br /><br />@ Susan - as I mentioned .. I'd no idea how the plant grew, or what it entailed to harvest the beans ... I think patisseries will use the commercial variety, unless it is a sole trader and make their own - then perhaps they'll use the real stuff ... <br /><br />@ Robert - sorry about the hunger pangs ... food brings them on!<br /><br />Cheers to you all ... and thanks for visiting - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-38209709853382446572016-10-26T06:01:27.183+01:002016-10-26T06:01:27.183+01:00I'm mad at you now...
...
This made me hungr...I'm mad at you now...<br /><br />...<br /><br />This made me hungry.H.R. Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01462784064936801201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-31171067913286077612016-10-26T04:50:08.497+01:002016-10-26T04:50:08.497+01:00thanks Hilary, so interesting about vanilla. I did...thanks Hilary, so interesting about vanilla. I did not know it is an orchid type plant. And its many uses from medicine to scenting tobacco ...<br />I love the smell of it - I wonder if patisseries use the expensive kind or the less expensive synthetic one -Susan Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12041548718544123557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-74475361539239304592016-10-25T21:15:47.679+01:002016-10-25T21:15:47.679+01:00I learned many things about the vanilla plant from...I learned many things about the vanilla plant from your post Hilary. I didn't even know that vanilla is a kind of orchid.beste barkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002530133068046229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-59011776609156078162016-10-25T20:31:22.487+01:002016-10-25T20:31:22.487+01:00I certainly have something new. Vanilla is great, ...I certainly have something new. Vanilla is great, and that Victoria Sponge, oh my...<br /><br />Thanks for stopping over. Warm greetings!Blogorattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12821621371176285384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-68837881819229174382016-10-25T12:41:47.094+01:002016-10-25T12:41:47.094+01:00Just thought I'd mention Hilary, I wrote about...Just thought I'd mention Hilary, I wrote about Cashews in my A to Z too.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087140585742801854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-36998179413754519642016-10-25T07:34:27.923+01:002016-10-25T07:34:27.923+01:00@ Jeffrey – it is so strange realising how difficu...@ Jeffrey – it is so strange realising how difficult things are to come to fruition … over the millennia – we’ve been trying different plants etc and experimenting. Your note on cashews led me off to look them up – aren’t they fascinating … and I agree it ‘shocked’ me too – extraordinary plant.<br /><br />Oh yes the cake …. too good to eat apparently – it’s been here for ages!<br /><br />@ Bish – how interesting to read you had a vanilla orchid at home, yet that too didn’t produce any pods … but it was considered to be in pride of place. I’m glad I could enlighten you re ‘your’ vanilla orchid – and how much Albius did for us and vanilla today. I think I’d better put my vanilla beans into some sugar and perhaps try it with things … <br /><br />@ Lee – I never really realised what vanilla was – except in the vanilla slices, which I l-o-v-e-d! Now I wish I’d known why my mother didn’t like vanilla … but it meant I’ve never used it – but I rarely bake or cook now … I’m glad you enjoyed finding out about it and the pollination angle … <br /><br />@ Annalisa – it became quite a difficult post to write up … how much to put in, or leave out … and I wanted Albius to be there. That’s good to read you’ll be more appreciative of the Cornish vanilla ice-cream cones you eat!<br /><br />@ Shammickite – thanks for visiting … oh dear, so sorry to read about dropping the bottle … it must be strong the real essence. The cheaper essence is easily available … and less overpowering – enjoy the little you use.<br /><br />@ Susan – I’ve never wanted to have vanilla in my coffee and as I don’t bake … that solves that problem … but I do have some vanilla candles: they weren’t expensive, I’m glad to say!<br /><br />@ LD – it’s funny how much we learn isn’t it … never realising so much about how things we take for granted come about. Again – good to know it’s good in tea … <br /><br />Thanks everyone – so interesting to read your comments and find out all the snippets on vanilla … looks like we’ll be respecting it a great deal more … cheers Hilary<br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-72515345199474741842016-10-25T02:19:49.113+01:002016-10-25T02:19:49.113+01:00I'll admit I've always taken vanilla for g...I'll admit I've always taken vanilla for granted. Never knew it was so hard to grow. I'll have to treat it with a bit more respect. (It's wonderful in tea.)LD Mastersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01202135756299574972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-58834483467191888092016-10-24T21:43:20.980+01:002016-10-24T21:43:20.980+01:00I use vanilla in my coffee and in baking. Vanilla ...I use vanilla in my coffee and in baking. Vanilla scented candles are my favorite. I didn't know it was so expensive. Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-11179492329462812242016-10-24T21:28:00.291+01:002016-10-24T21:28:00.291+01:00Whenever a friend went to mexico, I would always t...Whenever a friend went to mexico, I would always try to bribe them to bring some vanilla back for me. The last bottle I had, I dropped on the tile floor. Well, It made the house smell wonderful but I didn't really appreciate the aroma! since then I have used the cheap stuff. None of my friends have been to <br />Mexico!Shammickitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11969803866899076638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-47614416274765619112016-10-24T19:46:29.533+01:002016-10-24T19:46:29.533+01:00Wow, I didn't know so much went into the procu...Wow, I didn't know so much went into the procurement of vanilla. I love the smell, and the taste, and the ice-cream. I shall be more respectful when I eat my next Cornish Ice Cream cone :-)Annalisa Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14943610814274794998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-80863775074711246962016-10-24T17:30:38.730+01:002016-10-24T17:30:38.730+01:00I've always loved vanilla. The smell is exquis...I've always loved vanilla. The smell is exquisite and it adds the perfect touch to so many sweet baked things. Interesting that you mother didn't care for it. <br /><br />This is a fascinating history, HIlary. Thanks for it. I had no idea about the pollinating issues!cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-7017997061059531452016-10-24T17:12:59.999+01:002016-10-24T17:12:59.999+01:00We had a vanilla orchid growing on a tree in our y...We had a vanilla orchid growing on a tree in our yard in the VI. It never produced, but we were very *proud* to have it. <br /><br />So much I didn't know about it, particularly about Albius. I like to keep a vanilla bean in a jar of sugar used sparingly as a special sweetener in tea or coffee.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-70889354196079862082016-10-24T16:54:14.998+01:002016-10-24T16:54:14.998+01:00I've never been big on Vanilla ice cream. But ...I've never been big on Vanilla ice cream. But anything else Vanilla and I love it, especially when used in baking. I've never given it much thought where it comes from. But I find this very interesting. Like the cashew, sometimes we just accept what we have, without even thinking about where it comes from. I mention the cashew, because how it's found in it's natural state kind of shocked me when I first learned about it.<br />Thanks for all the great information and the wonderful looking piece of cake. :p mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmJeffrey Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06973104877310669196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-31275971378100509982016-10-24T15:12:31.632+01:002016-10-24T15:12:31.632+01:00@ Val - I fall into your court by taste ... I'...@ Val - I fall into your court by taste ... I'm not keen on vanilla and find it overwhelming ... yet here everyone seems to love it. I felt for Edmond Albius and wanted to give his name a shout out ... and another aspect of French Slavery that I hadn't come across - I'm sure we did it too. I hope he had some happy years before the changes came about.<br /><br />@ Elizabeth - it is synthetic from various sources ... but I think I'd get some from a good quality provisioner ... and ask - as there are lots of synthetic versions around ... you don't need much, so one small vial should last for a decent length of time ... or put the pods into sugar: hope that helps ... check the label and question it ... yes: watch for the synthetic ... but it's in lots of commercial products, I'm sorry to say ... <br /><br />@ Christine - exactly, we do think of it as common, but most of the products we buy are made with synthetic vanilla ... so if you have good quality vanilla then please use with pleasure and sparingly ... <br /><br />Cheers to you all - food is a mixed bag in today's age ... Hilary<br /><br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-65458849190648079092016-10-24T14:54:06.691+01:002016-10-24T14:54:06.691+01:00The things I did not know about vanilla. How remar...The things I did not know about vanilla. How remarkable! I think it's one of those things so many people take for granted because they think it is common, but no longer for me. I will relish every bit of vanilla now!Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-70430367033930948672016-10-24T11:23:34.638+01:002016-10-24T11:23:34.638+01:00So interesting to hear more about vanilla! I'm...So interesting to hear more about vanilla! I'm not familiar with vanilla slices, but they sure look delicious. I always feel very odd when baking with 'imitation vanilla,' but it's so common here. I wonder what makes it 'imitation?' It's the same as the pulp synthetic? Then I will definitely avoid it in the future...ick! Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-46089343317813349822016-10-24T08:39:46.259+01:002016-10-24T08:39:46.259+01:00This is absolutely fascinating, Hilary! I'm no...This is absolutely fascinating, Hilary! I'm not fond of vanilla if it is too strong, but like it as a subtle background flavour. Thank you for this very interesting post. I was sorry to read about Edward Albius. What a sad end to someone who contirbuted such an important technique to the world!Vallypeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08309284606572565277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-23297465809604225142016-10-24T07:11:39.429+01:002016-10-24T07:11:39.429+01:00@ Keith - it's interesting how so many of you ...@ Keith - it's interesting how so many of you love vanilla ... and I'd love to share your mille feuille - I hope you made more than one?! The calories aren't that good are they ... but once in a while!<br /><br />@ Kathleen - oh now that's a good idea .. I might flavour something ... don't think it'll be vodka .. but I should use my vanilla beans for something ... I guess sugar it will need to be.<br /><br />@ Stephen - good to see you again ... well it makes sense if the children use lots with their baking to use the cheaper variety ... and I'm sure the real stuff is very expensive. Glad you enjoyed the back story of vanilla and a little history - let alone food!<br /><br />Thanks so much for coming by .. and cheers for now - Hilary<br /><br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-84366690415083641662016-10-23T23:49:31.536+01:002016-10-23T23:49:31.536+01:00Hello Hilary long time no see. I knew real vanilla...Hello Hilary long time no see. I knew real vanilla was very expensive but not the second most expensive. That's why we buy the artificial stuff because wifey and the lids use the cheap stuff so much in baking. Very interesting lesson as always. Thanks for helping to expand my mind a little more.Stephen Tremphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10387553613827257304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-57138408358904252862016-10-23T18:42:26.608+01:002016-10-23T18:42:26.608+01:00How interesting. A friend once brought me a little...How interesting. A friend once brought me a little bundle of vanilla beans from Madagascar. I split them open, put them in a fancy jar, and filled it with vodka. I have been using it for years and it is wonderful.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15964712984479525970noreply@blogger.com