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Episode 22: Vanilla, AKA the ’boring’ spice and why it got that reputation
In this episode of It's Never Just Food, we're going from vanilla's origins in Mexico to its rise in Madagascar, exploring the science behind its unmistakable aroma, the truth about natural versus artificial vanilla, and what you're actually buying when you reach for extract, paste, powder, or whole beans.
In this episode:
Vanilla's origins in Mesoamerica and its connection to cacao
The boy who transformed the global vanilla industry
Why Madagascar became synonymous with vanilla (and what “Bourbon” actually means)
Why vanilla beans need months of curing to develop their flavour
Natural versus…
The skinny
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