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Did
you know that over 95% of all Vanilla used as a fragrance
or flavor is synthetic! |
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Why is this, when Natural Vanilla has been described as the "Nector Of The Gods" and is in such high demand? - It comes down to money. Natural Vanilla is very expensive, the main reasons being: -
| (i) Of all the agricultural crops grown, Vanilla is the most labor-intensive. |
| (ii) From planting the vines to harvesting the beans you're looking at 4-5 years! |
The vanilla plant (Vanilla planifolia) is grown as a perennial herbaceous vine to a height of 4- 5 metres (although it can grow up to 25 metres high). Because it is a vine, it needs the support of trees or poles. It takes up to 3 years or so to flower. These large white flowers have a deep narrow trumpet that develops into a long green pod (12 -15 cm long) and looks like a big green bean. This takes a few months. Even then, these pods must remain on the vine for 8 or 9 months. Once these pods or beans are harvested, they beans must be put through a curing process to turn them into the fragrant brown vanilla pods of commerce with their signature aroma. This process may involve curing via sun drying, oven heating or hot water causing the glucosides to break down into vanillin which can accumulate as white crystals on the surface of the bean.
What then is the difference between Synthetic Vanilla and Natural Vanilla?
Vanilla (or Vanilla Fragrans as genuine Vanilla is known) is
a tropical orchid and so will only grow in countries or areas
that are located near the Equator. Consequently, it is commonly
grown in countries such as Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Madagascar,
the Philippines, Mexico, Indonesia,Tahiti, Tonga, East Africa
and Costa Rica.
Indigenous people are believed to have been the first to have
grown Vanilla. The Totonaca people of the Gulf coast of Mexico
were probably the first people. Certainly, Mexico had the market
on natural vanilla until Germany entered the market in the 1880's
with the first synthetic vanilla via a cheap Ersatz product.
In the early 1900's, the Mexican Revolution devastated natural
vanilla production in Mexico. This led Mexican producers to
made up for the shortfall in natural vanilla by also producing
synthetic vanilla! This was at a time when Mexico had been the
leading vanilla-producing country in the world and so they kept
their production of synthetic vanilla quite.
The makers of synthetic vanilla, used Coumarin to disguise the
artificial taste. Coumarin is extracted from the Tonka bean
and smells and tastes exactly like vanilla. However, due to
safety concerns, the FDA (The Food and Drug Administration)
banned it outright from all foods and food additives sold in
the U.S. Dicumarol, a derivative of Coumarin, is used to thin
blood (i.e. it is an anticoagulant). However, used incorrectly,
it may cause internal bleeding.
Vanilla extract is made by cutting the vanilla beans into small
pieces and soaking them successively in quantities of hot 65-70%
alcohol. Many commercial vanilla extracts are now actually blends
from natural and synthetic vanillin. Consequently, vanilla extract
is generlly regarded as quite safe and is used extentively these
days in both cooking and skin care.
However, pure natural Vanilla is still the best, but it isn't cheap. The tropical climate and naturally organic environment of Vanuatu make it an ideal country for the production of tropical and organic vanilla.
We know that taste and smell are important components
when it comes to love and romance. The intoxicating, warm, alluring smell of Vanilla has
captivated everyone over the ages from the Mayan and Aztec Idians,
the Spaniards, the French and the Orient right through to modern
times. It is the Heliotropin,
a sweet fragrance in Vanilla, that when applied to the human body topically, has the effect of altering the odours of the body through perfuming of the skin (in a good way).
If you're a woman, head to our irresistible
"Unpredictable"
Range of body care products, featuring
unique blends of pure Vanilla Essential Oil, exotic Frangipani
Essential Oil, Jasmine Essential Oil, Bergamot,
Cedarwood and Neroli.
If you're a man, check out our tantilizing "Eruptable" Range. Vanilla blends well with Sandalwood, which can also be found throughout this range. Make sure you look for our Vanilla-based Aftershave and Eau de Cologne for Men!
For those of you who love the combination of Vanilla & Virgin Coconut Oil, you can't go past our "CocoVan" Range.
Whatever you prefer, we have something just for you. Apply them to your daily life and enjoy!
VOLCANIC EARTH