What Is Vanilla? How to Use It in the Kitchen

Vanilla is an orchid-family plant native to Mexico. Because its flowers must be pollinated by hand and its pods take months to dry, it is considered one of the world's most expensive spices. Vanilla is used in cosmetics and perfumes as well as in cooking; its pleasant aroma also makes it a popular fragrance in room fresheners and hand and body creams. Here are several ways to use and store vanilla in the kitchen.

How Do You Use a Vanilla Bean?

Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the tiny black seeds with the back of a knife. Add the seeds directly to custards, ice cream, or cake batter for a strong vanilla flavor. Do not throw away the scraped pod: simmer it in milk-based desserts for extra flavor, or dry it and grind it into powder. You can also bury used vanilla pods in granulated sugar. After a few weeks, the sugar takes on the vanilla aroma and can be used in coffee, tea, or baked goods.

How Do You Make Vanilla Extract at Home?

Vanilla extract is made by steeping vanilla beans in alcohol for an extended period. Place 3–4 vanilla beans in a glass bottle and add one 200 ml measure of vodka. Store the bottle in a cool, dark place. Shake the mixture gently from time to time over 2 months. It will develop a dark color and a strong aroma. The extract can be stored for a long time without spoiling and added drop by drop to desserts and coffee.

How Do You Make Vanilla Powder?

For a quicker way to use vanilla, chop the beans into small pieces and toast them over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until their aroma develops. Grind the toasted pieces in a mortar or spice grinder. Add the resulting vanilla powder directly to coffee, milk-based desserts, or cake batter.

How Should You Store Vanilla?

Keep vanilla beans in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark place to preserve their freshness for months. Make sure the jar stays dry, since moisture can cause the beans to mold. Store homemade vanilla extract and vanilla powder in covered glass containers as well. Keeping them away from light helps preserve their aroma.

What Is the Difference Between Real and Artificial Vanilla?

Many products labeled “vanilla” contain synthetic vanillin instead of real vanilla beans. Vanillin imitates just one of vanilla's aroma compounds, creating a simpler, sharper flavor. Real vanilla contains many aroma compounds together, giving it a more layered, mellow flavor. Products labeled “vanilla extract” are made from real vanilla, while “vanilla flavoring” usually indicates synthetic vanillin. Price can also be a clue: real vanilla beans and extract cost much more than synthetic alternatives. Using real vanilla can make a noticeable difference in delicate desserts, especially custards and ice cream.

What Flavors Pair Well with Vanilla?

Vanilla is one of the few flavorings that pairs with many ingredients in desserts. It enhances rather than overwhelms chocolate, caramel, and cinnamon. It can also deepen the flavor of sweet fruits such as bananas, peaches, and strawberries. Vanilla is less familiar in savory cooking, but a tiny amount in sauces for seafood such as lobster and shrimp adds mild sweetness and balances the flavor. A pinch of vanilla in coffee or chocolate drinks can also soften their bitterness.