Talk:Vanilla

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[edit] xóchitl

I have always known xóchitl as 'pod' not 'flower.' As I am not an expert of the language the Aztecs used, I'm putting it up here first. I've know tlilxochitl as 'black pod,' not 'black flower.' It does make sense as the pods are black but the flowers are white. Mangiraikos 07:12, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

That's an interesting point, but the fact is, xochitl does mean "flower" in Nahuatl, as in for example, Xochimilco, literally "flower field". Perhaps the Aztecs focused on the pod part of the flower for the color. Tmangray 17:54, 13 April 2007 (UTC)
I am not a specialist of nahuatl language, but I think Aztecs were not scientfic botanists and the fruit nature of a vanilla pod is not obvious. Everybody can see it comes from a flower but as a fruit it is not fleshy, the seeds look like dust and do not germinate easily. For this ancient people, it was just a transformed flower not an edible fruit. Channer 10:26, 15 April 2007 (UTC)
The Aztecs actually did have botanists of a kind. They established several botanical gardens in fact, to represent the plants they knew. It's possible that when it was first named, vanilla in its actual floral state was unknown to them, in that they may have received the pods in trade from others. Unless someone else has other information as to why they called it "black flower", we are left to speculate. Tmangray 22:59, 15 April 2007 (UTC)
I have found where I thought the word meant 'pod.' "...Aztecs call "tlilxochitl", derived from "tlilli", meaning "black", and from "xochitl" interpreted here as meaning "pod"." I guess the word does mean flower as they specifically have to use 'pod' here. Leaving us to speculate that the word means flower most of the time. I guess flower will have to do here. Off the topic, I would love to see a true "black flower." —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Mangiraikos (talk • contribs) 01:35, 16 April 2007 (UTC).

[edit] cost

Does anyone know why vanilla beans are so expensive? $15 for 2 of them! 72.90.244.182 00:30, 24 December 2006 (UTC)


Ouch! What kind? Vanilla beans are very hard to grow and harvest- but that's just ridiculous. Tahitian beans are considered the creme of the crop, but even then should only cost $6 each. Madagascar beans are easy enough to get at $1.50 each. --24.37.235.244 01:44, 22 February 2007 (UTC)

Well depending on your taste Tahitian may or may not be the 'creme of the crop.' The planifolia variation grown in the islands of Madagascar, the Comoros and Reunion, more commonly known as 'bourbon,' has been around for longer and traditionally has been more expensive. Mangiraikos 07:00, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Copytheft

http://www.food-info.net/uk/qa/qa-fi57.htm contains text from the Vanilla article without credit and on my browser put up an annoying popup that could not be dismissed without agreeing to a "scan" of my computer. I looked at one other page and it also appeared to be stolen material. 68.249.108.238 05:10, 19 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] French Vanilla

The article isn't clear in it's definition of "French Vanilla". Currently it implies that "French vanilla" means vanilla and egg custard. This is consistant with the ingredient lists of Bryers Vanilla and French Vanilla ice cream. However, I read somewhere that "French vanilla" means "vanilla and brandy". I don't recall where I read this. Does anyone have more information? —BenFrantzDale 03:18, 28 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Image/Formatting Issues

For me, the "Longitudinal section of a vanilla flower" is partially obscuring the line of text above it. Could someone who knows how fix this? The Jade Knight 21:53, 27 January 2006 (UTC)

It looks fine to me at all window sizes with Firefox. What browser are you using?―BenFrantzDale 02:10, 28 January 2006 (UTC)
IE 6. Doesn't matter how I resize the window, same problem. The Jade Knight 05:34, 28 January 2006 (UTC)
I take that back. If I make the window big enough it's no longer a problem. However, it is slightly bothersome to have to make the window particularly large. The Jade Knight 02:28, 30 January 2006 (UTC)

Is it just me, or do the pictures towards the bottom of the page, really belong in the medicinal portion of the page?? --CitaBean

[edit] vanilla powder and vanilla extract production?

The Preparation section should say how the vanilla powder and the vanilla extract are produced. --68.96.241.18 11:14, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Smell

I really loves the smell of vanilla, it enchants me! I love it!

[edit] Flavour

I love it, it's delicious. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Nachomanco (talk • contribs) 15:27, 12 January 2007 (UTC). Bourbon

The term " Bourbon " originally referred to vanilla beans grown on Madagascar, Reunion and the Comoros Islands. Today, the term is used to describe Vanilla planifolia beans cultivated in other parts of the world including Uganda and India. When grown in other parts of the world, the beans are most accurately described as " Bourbon Type ".

The extract made from Bourbon vanilla beans has a fruity, sweet creamy, hay-like aroma with vanillin and phenolic undertones. It is generally stronger in flavor than the extract produced from other origins.

Mexican

Mexican vanilla is also Vanilla planifolia . The extract produced from Mexican beans has a unique flavor and aroma. It is slightly more spicy and woody in flavor and has less of the vanillin undertones found in "bourbon" vanilla.

Unfortunately, much of the vanilla extract produced in Mexico is adulterated with artificial vanillin, ethyl vanillin and other artificial flavor ingredients. Visitors to Mexico often believe they are buying Pure Vanilla Extract at great prices when all they are getting is a cheap imitation product colored with caramel color.

Tahitian

The beans of Vanilla tahitensis , have a unique flavor and aroma, which is floral and fruity. The extract made from these beans is sweet and creamy with notes of cherries and prunes. Tahitian Vanilla Extract typically has a more delicate flavor than Bourbon Vanilla Extract.

Indonesian

The beans grown in Papua New Guinea and other parts of Indonesia are Vanilla planifolia . Indonesian beans, however, due to the climate, soil conditions and how they are cured, often have a unique flavor and aroma, which is best described as slightly smoky. Most of the beans produced in Indonesia are purchased by large industrial users of vanilla and blended with vanilla from other origins.

[edit] Vanilla Mycorrhizal Fungi Species

So does anyone know which mycorrhizal fungi species are symbiotic with vanilla?24.83.178.11 11:50, 17 April 2007 (UTC)BeeCier


[edit] Image "vanille output"

I corrected the table of producer (Belgium was among the top producer of vanilla !?). However, I don't know how to fix the related map. If someone can do it.

[edit] Artificial vanilla from cow manure.

I have to take exeception to the statement that "An estimated 95% of “vanilla” products actually contain artificial vanillin, produced from lignin and cow manure.", when the citation attached to it makes no such claim. While I hve no problem with the first part ("An estimated 95% of “vanilla” products actually contain artificial vanillin"), the rest makes it sound like some sizable amount in vanilla products comes from cow manure. This appears to be incorrect -- indeed, the cited reference only notes that in 2006 a scientist was able to synthesize vanillin from manure. There is no reference in the citation to any results of that research actually making it into any food products for human consumption. As such, I'm removing the reference. --Yaztromo 07:41, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Dubious

The assertion that Tahitian vanilla is a separate species is dubious. The citation given is not scientific, the Encyclopedia of Life does not list "Vanilla tahitensis" as a species, and even the Wikipedia article Vanilla (orchid) does not list it as a species. I suspect that there is cultural or commercial interest in distinguishing Tahitian vanilla as a species, but there must be scientific evidence to support it. ENeville (talk) 17:46, 24 March 2008 (UTC)