Where Does Vanilla Flavoring Come From? Who discovers Vanilla Flavour?
Vanilla is no doubt one of the most popular flavors in the world. Its fragrance and flavor have made it a trendy ingredient used in baking, soft drinks, perfumes, ice cream, toiletries. But where does this popular flavor come from?
Some time ago, the flavor “vanilla” became a trending topic, and it was revealed that a chemical compound used in its flavoring and scent comes from the anal gland of Beavers.
If you wonder what a “Beaver” is, it is a large semiaquatic “rodent,” yes, and you read that right.
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What is the smell of Castoreum?
Castoreum is a chemical produced by a Beavers at its castor sac to mark its territory. The substance is usually brown and sticky and is pretty close to vanilla in taste and smell.
To get this substance, the animal’s anal glands need to be milk to extract the fluid.
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After learning this, many vowed never to consume anything with vanilla in it, and before you promise to do so too, you would be delighted to know that 90% of the vanilla flavoring we consume today isn’t from the Beavers.
Castoreum is not used today in any form of the vanilla sold for human consumption.
Now, there are several ways of getting this flavor that does not involve “Beaver’s butt,” so you can heave a sigh of relief as the Beavers are no doubt doing, knowing your vanilla flavoring does not contain any animal juice. So how is vanilla flavoring now gotten?
How is Vanilla favour made?
Through the following means;
- Synthetic vanilla
Today’s vanilla flavoring is made in a laboratory through the use of refined petrochemicals.
The substance responsible for this flavor’s distinct taste and smell can be created, this process usually involves combining two different chemicals, and the flavor is gotten.
This chemical or synthetic vanilla is often referred to as vanilla flavoring or essence.
- Biological Vanilla
There are also natural ways of getting this flavor. One of these methods is using a particular fungus that converts sugar to vanillin, which is used as flavoring.
- Natural Vanilla
Vanilla pods are another way of extracting this flavor, although they are pretty expensive.
The process of growing and harvesting this plant is known to be quite complicated and lengthy, plus 80% of all vanilla pods are cultivated in Madagascar, so if they get affected for one reason or the other, the world’s supply gets to be involved.
So to save money, time, and other resources, alternative means of getting this flavor were created, and they have proven to be quite effective.
Who discovered vanilla flavoring?
The flavor has been in existence before the all-vanilla flavored sweetmeats were developed by Hugh Morgan, Who was employed by Queen Elizabeth I in the 17th century.
Is vanilla extract healthy?
There are many health benefits of using vanilla. First, vanilla can substitute for sugar, which has been scientifically proven to reduce high blood glucose levels.
What happens if you drink too much vanilla extract?
Vanilla extract contains alcohol, the type in wine and hard liquor. Having too much of it could lead to alcohol poisoning.
