The primary driver of the international price of vanilla is the crop’s scarcity, since there can be only one harvest of vanilla beans per year. The amount and quality of a crop will determine the price, with expensive crops tending to be uniquely scented, complex and flavorful. Vanilla is also big business – in 2011 alone, US$6 billion was spent on it annually! The most expensive type is Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla beans because they are hand-pollinated by careful hand selection to produce superior beans with a pure flavor.
Over time, however, some bean varieties have become more popular than others (such as Bourbon), so that demand has outgrown supply leading to higher prices for these types. It is difficult to project what will happen in the future, but some experts are predicting a continuing rise in price.
History of Vanilla
The first Vanillas were probably used by the Indians of Central America, where they were highly valued for their flavor and aroma. Practiced since ancient times, it is thought that this relationship began when the Aztecs brought vanilla beans from Mexico to New Spain. After Spanish conquerors introduced them to the Spanish territories of South America, which included Ecuador and Peru, vanilla remained a very important element in the region’s economy.
Vanilla’s popularity spread through Europe during the 16th century as newfound knowledge about its properties was passed from one continent to another.
In 1737, vanilla’s fame was first brought to Europe by scientist and traveler Jean-Baptiste Boussingault, who journeyed to the Amazon Basin of French Guiana to study the plants and describe their properties. The beans were initially thought to be poisonous, but were soon discovered to be a source of an alkaloid substance called vanillin.
By the middle of the 19th century, vanilla continued to be a very popular commodity in European societies, with Britain importing over half of its supply from South America. Differences in quality, as well as the use of vanilla essence in confectionary and pastries helped to elevate it from a mere flavor to a culinary element.
Vanilla Varieties
It is the richest flavoring substance known to man, but Vanilla had to struggle hard to be accepted as an additive for foods. It may have had its roots with the Indians who first used vanilla over 4,500 years ago and traded with the Incas and Aztecs, but didn’t make it into European cooking until 1781 when John Hayes discovered how to extract vanillin from the bean.
However, the first recorded vanilla plantations were not established until 1791 in the islands of Reunion, on Madagascar and in the coastal regions of Australia. It was not until 1841 that anyone started to pay attention to vanilla production. According to Maria Crickmay’s book “FOOD”, vanilla was difficult and expensive to grow, but it was just what England wanted for flavoring its pastries and desserts. It wasn’t until 1873 that an Englishman, Henry Watson, found a way to make a profit from his Madagascar plantation.
In 1876, Henry and his son gave the world the first commercial vanilla to be farmed at reasonable prices. The two were both immigrants from the United States of America, who had discovered how to make a profit from their business by incorporating quality and taste into their product.
In 1891, French chemist Limbrey obtained a sample of vanilla beans from Tahiti and used it in an experiment with one hundred thousand kilograms of sugar. He was able to isolate vanillin as a pure substance and proved his theory that it was the main ingredient for flavoring pastries.
In 1930, scientist Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge discovered the chemical formula for vanilla and made it possible for thousands of people to make a living from this luxury. He started the process by cultivating several different varieties of vanilla plants, some of which still exist today. The first commercial Vanilla crops were planted in the Amazon basin in 1942, where the plants were sent to various countries to be processed into essential oils.
Natural & Artificial Vanilla Flavor
The only way that vanilla beans grow is if they are pollinated by bees and other insects. That is why it is important to keep your vanilla fresh at all times – store them properly to avoid spoiling and make sure you never use old or damaged beans as they will not taste nice. Vanilla from natural sources is limited to the area that surrounds Madagascar and is derived from the plant’s fruit pods, which develop into a dry, hard brown pod.
The flavor of vanilla extract derived from these beans can be quite strong, so artificial vanillin – made by crushing the seeds and extracting their essential oil – is often added to artificial vanilla products to give them a more subtle taste. And because it comes with no risk of pesticides or other harmful chemicals, this vanilla extract often has a fuller flavor than vanillin extracted from real vanilla beans.
There are several vanillins that can be used in food products. The most popular ones are ethyl vanillin and its synthetic version, ethylyl vanillin. Although they are often called artificial vanilla flavor, they merely reproduce the flavor of real vanilla beans by reproducing the chemical, vanillin.
Vanilla Extracts & Pure Vanilla Flavor
You might find that your local store has vanilla extracts for you to use in a wide range of products from baked goods to rum drinks. However, the best type is pure vanilla extract which comes from the fruit of Vanilla planifolia or Vanilla tahitensis, which is then isolated from a number of other components and then diluted to give a rich flavor.
The majority of real vanilla extract products come from Madagascar and Tahiti, where the plants are harvested by hand. Vanilla beans are expensive and difficult to grow, which is why there is often a large difference in price between pure vanilla extracts and diluted versions.
Pure Vanilla Extract
Pure vanilla extract is made from vanilla beans that have been crushed or steeped in a solution to extract their flavor oil. It comes with a strong aroma and generally has a much richer flavor than its artificial counterparts.
Vanilla Extracts & Vanilla Essences
In addition to extracts, you might also come across vanilla essence in your grocery store. Vanilla essence is essentially a water-based mixture that contains the same chemical components as vanilla extract and is typically added to confectionary as a flavoring agent.
Vanilla extract has been used as a flavoring ingredient in foods since the mid-1700s while pure vanilla essence was first introduced into the food market during World War II when there was a shortage of artificial flavorings. It is generally made by diluting high quality vanilla extract with water or some other solvent, which allows flavors to be extracted from the remaining oil molecules.
You only need to add a few drops of pure vanilla essence to add a vanilla flavoring to your favorite cake or cookies, but the taste will be much stronger than the extract. Vanilla essence is a fine substitute for pure vanilla extract, but it lacks any of the health benefits that come from using pure vanilla extract.
Diluted Vanilla Extracts & Pure Vanilla Flavor
Flavoring extracts are made from real or artificial vanillin, which has been diluted with other ingredients such as corn syrup or in some cases sugar and water. These products are fine for baking; however, if you want to use them for making drinks – especially creamy drinks – then you should use real vanilla extract instead.
The flavor of pure vanilla extract is rich, which makes it perfect for flavoring creamy, rum-based drinks and desserts. However, it can also be used in savory dishes – it adds a delicious flavor to soups, chicken and fish.
How Do I Store Pure Vanilla Extract?
Pure vanilla extract should be stored in a dry and dark place that is away from excessive heat or light exposure. It is best to store the extract in its original bottle, but you can also transfer the extract into a fresh container or sealed plastic bag. You should label the container with the date of purchase so you know how old it is.
How Long Will Pure Vanilla Extract Last?
This is one of the best-kept secrets around. It is unlikely that pure vanilla extract will lose its flavor after the first year, but it may start to degrade a little after that period. If you know what brand you purchase, then you can use your judgment on how long it should last – but generally speaking, you can expect at least two years from the date of store purchase.
How Much Is Pure Vanilla Extract Per Pound?
Vanilla extracts are sold by weight – so how much is one pound of pure vanilla extract? The typical weight of a box of pure vanilla extracts is two ounces and they usually sell for around $15.
Where Can I Buy Pure Vanilla Extract?
If you are looking to purchase pure vanilla extract from a reputable company, then you can usually find it online. Some popular online retailers for pure vanilla extract include Amazon and Safeway. Before purchasing, we recommend checking out the Amazon customer reviews – some of them can be very helpful. You should also check the site of the manufacturer – if they have a branded website, then it is likely that they are selling products to other shops or distributors as well so check the address or phone number on their website to make sure it is legit before ordering.
Will the price of vanilla ever go down?
Here’s hoping that this infographic has been a useful tool for helping you understand the world of vanilla. If you want to know more, here is a great article on which vanilla bean to buy. And if you want to buy the best vanilla beans, here are some tips:
1. Buy top-quality vanilla beans A grade (Tahitian grade) or AA grade (Madagascar) from reputable stores such as Amazon.
2. Buy from stores that offer 100% money back guarantee and/or free shipping so that your investment is protected and you don’t get stuck with bad beans
3. Buy in bulk to save more money
What are vanilla beans?
Vanilla beans are the fruit of the Vanilla planifolia plant, which is an orchid that has been grown in Central America since pre-Columbian times. The fruit is harvested by hand and then cured in a way that allows its natural flavor to develop. Once done, it is sold as either a cured whole fruit or as extract which contains its extracted flavor oil. Berries can be used for both culinary and medicinal purposes, although the most common use today is for flavoring foods. The vanilla plant itself naturally grows in many tropical climates however, most commercially grown plants belong to Madagascar and Tahiti.
Why is vanilla so expensive in 2021?
Vanilla is one of the most expensive spices in the world because it is so labor intensive to grow, harvest and process. The main factor that determines vanilla’s price is its geographic origin. Tahiti is considered to be the best growing region for vanilla beans, which means that Madagascar and other lesser-known regions are not used for growing this spice. The more rare and sought-after a product is, the more expensive it will usually be.
Why has vanilla gotten so expensive?
The expense of growing vanilla has driven many farmers out of the market. The region of production has also decreased significantly over the years, creating a great demand for vanilla beans. Combined with the fact that most people want a higher-quality product, and this is what has caused the price to increase so much.
How long does it take to grow a vanilla bean?
It typically takes about three years for a vanilla plant to be fully grown and ready for harvest and curing. In order for a bean to be considered high quality, it needs have both three distinct ‘layers’ and an oily drop on each end.
Is vanilla going extinct?
No, vanilla is not going to disappear, but it is definitely becoming harder and more expensive to find and produce. This process of transformation from a farm crop to an extract seems to have accelerated over the years, which is why it has become more rare. The most well-known producer of vanilla beans is Madagascar, which accounts for up to 90% of all produced vanilla beans in the world.
Why are there so many different types and flavors of vanilla?
Vanilla has been a main ingredient in many food products for centuries, and it has adapted quite well over the years. There are so many different varieties that are grown today because they all have their own characteristics as well as unique flavor profiles.
Hopefully this article helped you figure out exactly how much is pure vanilla extract per pound and whether or not it is worth your money. Vanilla is a very popular ingredient in our culture and it can be a good investment if you want to make dessert or baked goods at home. However, we strongly recommend that you try to buy the pure vanilla extract from a reputable seller so that you are satisfied with what you receive.
0 responses to “Will The Price Of Vanilla Go Down”