A Brief Overview of Vanilla in English Kitchen

A Brief Overview of Vanilla in English Kitchen Vanilla is integral to the English kitchen. Whether used as a bean or as a vanilla extract, the use of vanilla goes back centuries. Today, vanilla is not just a spice or flavour or a note used in perfumes or candles; it is also used as an adjective! Though the present adjective use of vanilla denotes something ordinary or plain, vanilla wasn't precisely that when it was first introduced to the British people.

Vanilla: Origin and History Vanilla comes from a type of orchid that is native to present-day Mexico. It was used as a flavouring agent and perfume note by the pre-Mayan Totonac people. When the Aztecs conquered

them, they also loved this spice and mixed it with their favourite cocoa, creating a "chocolate" drink. It was used more for its sweet taste because the Aztecs did not use sugar.

When the Spanish conquistador Herman Cortes met the Aztecs, he was given this drink and repurchased it to Europe. Soon, the orchid was grown in different European conservatories, but the fruits still needed to be produced. Mexico was the largest producer and exporter of vanilla to Europe till the mid-19th century when hand-pollination was discovered and developed. Today, Madagascar and Indonesia are the largest producers and exporters of this second-costliest spice in the world.

History of vanilla in British kitchen

When vanilla was introduced to Europe by Herman Cortes in the 1520s, it also found its way to British soil. It was well sought among the aristocratic and wealthy families as an exotic spice, and they used it with chocolate like the rest of the Europeans. The rise of the popularity of vanilla lies with Hugh Morgan, an apothecary in service of Queen Elizabeth I. He created a chocolate-free, vanilla-flavoured sweetmeat for Her Majesty, which she liked very much. Ever since, vanilla has been used in puddings, custards and other traditional English desserts. The French were instrumental in using vanilla as a flavouring agent for ice cream. Here are some conventional English desserts that use vanilla as one of the main ingredients: Victoria Sponge Cake The tradition of the vanilla-pleasing the reigning queen of England continued with Victoria Sponge Cake, named after Queen Victoria. This is a sponge cake made with vanilla as the base flavour. It is generally sandwiched with raspberry jam and whipped cream. Queen Victoria was known for her sweet tooth; this sandwich cake was one of her favourite desserts. Today, vanilla-flavoured whipped cream is used instead of just plain cream.

Custard Tart A Custard Tart is a quintessential British dessert with smooth, creamy custard filling. This sweet goes back as far as 1399 when it was served as a dish for the coronation of King Henry IV. However, vanilla was not used then. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who also had a sweet tooth, vanilla was introduced and used to make this dish.

English Trifle This is a quintessentially English dessert that goes back to the 16th century. It has sponge cake and custard, whipped cream, and fruit jams. If you see the base ingredients, you will know that vanilla was used in custard and sponge cake. It is also used in flavouring the whipped cream.

Today, vanilla extract, beans, and even vanilla powder are used in all kinds of desserts and even savoury dishes in English kitchens. The love that England has for vanilla will last for years to come.

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