Gourmet Vanilla

Gourmet vanilla is a precious spice appreciated for its subtle and complex flavor, as well as its gourmet fragrance with floral and fruity notes. This versatile spice is used in a wide variety of dishes, both sweet and savory.  Vanilla is the fruit of an orchid native to Central America, with the main producers being Madagascar, Indonesia and Mexico. Gourmet vanilla, often called "black gold," is distinguished by its black, fleshy and flexible pods. The processing of gourmet vanilla involves several steps, from picking to fermentation, drying, and then refining, which takes several months.  Gourmet vanilla offers various health benefits. It has anti-stress properties, which can help reduce anxiety and improve concentration and memory. Additionally, vanilla is rich in phenols, antioxidants that can help slow the cellular aging process, promoting healthier skin, hair, and nails.  In the kitchen, gourmet vanilla is widely used in the preparation of desserts and pastries. It is ideal for flavoring creams, compotes, ice creams, pies, cannelés, flans, and many others. However, it can also be used in savory dishes to add an exotic touch, for example in mashed potatoes.  To reveal all the flavor of gourmet vanilla, it is possible to add it to a sugar bowl to naturally flavor the sugar. It can also be infused in milk by scraping the seeds from the pod, then adding the seeds to the liquid to be heated. This infusion can be used in custards, sauces, cocktails or crepe batters. Additionally, it can be made into syrup to lightly sweeten drinks. It is recommended to add vanilla at the end of cooking to preserve its aroma and flavor.  Gourmet vanilla is an ingredient of choice for those looking for subtle and sophisticated flavors to enrich their dishes, sweet and savory.