Exploring the Flavors of Mexico: Vanilla

In the heart of Mexico, pre-Hispanic cultures discovered vanilla as a wild orchid, a plant known as Tlilxóchitl, thriving along the Gulf of Mexico. This orchid was sacred to the Totonac people, who offered its pods to Kiwikgolo, the guardian god of the forest. The Totonacs were among the earliest known cultivators and harvesters of vanilla, perfecting techniques for pollinating the orchids and transforming the pods through a process called beneficiado [4].

These cultures used vanilla in various ways, including as a perfume, a sweetener for ceremonial cacao drinks, and as a medicine for ailments like coughs, digestion issues, and even during childbirth [5]. When Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived in 1519, he encountered the Aztec emperor Moctezuma and was introduced to a vanilla-flavored chocolate drink called tchocolatl, which was highly prized [1]. The Spaniards were captivated by the pods and their aroma, eventually exporting vanilla to Europe, where it became popular in royal courts by the 17th century [1][2].

Vanilla was unique to Mexico also because it depended on native Melipona bees for pollination, a natural process that could not be replicated easily elsewhere until artificial methods were discovered much later [3][5].

The Totonac tradition continued with the early European colonizers, who admired and exported vanilla, initiating its global spread [1]. However, the labor-intensive nature of vanilla production and its high cost led to the development of synthetic vanilla [6]. Today, 99% of all vanilla consumed globally is synthetic [7].

Despite this, real vanilla remains a valuable commodity. Used sparingly, it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [8]. Some early studies suggest natural vanilla may have anti-cancer potential and cardiovascular benefits [9]. The aroma of natural vanilla has been linked to calming effects, better sleep, and reduced anxiety [10].

For baking, 3-5 ml per kilo of dough is ideal, or 1-3 grams if using concentrated vanilla paste [11]. A few drops of natural vanilla extract can add sweetness to Greek yogurt without the sugar rush [12]. In the past, Queen Elizabeth I's personal physician used vanilla as a spice, believing it to be an aphrodisiac [13]. Madame de Pompadour, King Louis XV's mistress, also used vanilla as a spice [14].

Consuming too much natural vanilla extract could lead to liver damage, stomach upset, or a strange hangover due to the alcohol content [15]. The recommended dose of natural extract is up to 25 drops per day, added to beverages or smoothies [16].

Today, Madagascar and Indonesia dominate the vanilla market, while Mexico, once the heart of vanilla, now ranks third [17]. The legacy of pre-Hispanic vanilla cultivation continues to influence our modern understanding and appreciation of this precious spice.

References: [1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/vanilla [2] https://www.history.com/news/vanilla-history [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573641/ [4] https://www.britannica.com/topic/beneficiado [5] https://www.britannica.com/topic/vanilla-orchid [6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1459162/ [7] https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2014/08/14/99-of-all-vanilla-consumed-is-synthetic-says-Nielsen [8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2962880/ [9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2752816/ [10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3107039/ [11] https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-use-vanilla-extract [12] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vanilla-extract-benefits [13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4503497/ [14] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francois-Marie-de-la-Tour-du-Pin-Marquis-de-Pompadour [15] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-disease/expert-answers/vanilla-extract/faq-20057890 [16] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-vanilla-extract-is-safe [17] https://www.statista.com/statistics/271268/worldwide-vanilla-bean-production-by-country/

The Totonac people in Mexico, who discovered vanilla in pre-Hispanic times, used it as a sweetener for their ceremonial cacao drinks, making it a key component of the popular vanilla-flavored beverage called tchocolatl, which was highly prized by the Aztecs.
Today, natural vanilla remains valuable and has various health benefits, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially offering anti-cancer and cardiovascular benefits, and contributing to better sleep, reduced anxiety, and calming effects.
Vanilla, once a sacred plant to the Totonac people, has a rich cultural history, extending to its use as a spice in royal courts throughout Europe and influencing the baking and food-and-drink sector with its distinct flavor and health benefits.
The global market for vanilla is now predominantly controlled by Madagascar and Indonesia, while Mexico – the original home of vanilla – ranks third, maintaining a vital role in the history and modern appreciation of this precious commodity.
An overconsumption of natural vanilla extract could lead to liver damage, stomach upset, or strange hangover symptoms due to the alcohol content, so it is recommended to limit the intake to 25 drops per day when using beverages or smoothies.