Vanilla - A Gift From the Gods
Discover the fascinating history of vanilla, its ties to Mesoamerican culture, and how it became one of the most popular flavours in the world. Learn about the ingenious discovery of a 12-year-old boy that revolutionized the vanilla industry, and the current state of vanilla production worldwide.
Whether professional chefs or home-cooks, we are all familiar with Vanilla as a flavouring for some of our favourite foods as well as an ingredient in many of the cosmetic and hygiene products in our bathrooms. But did you know that the history of vanilla dates back thousands of years and is closely tied to the history of the indigenous people of Central America, historically known as “Mesoamerica”.
The ancient Totonac people of Mexico are believed to be the first to cultivate this type of orchid, which is the only one to bear fruit. They called it "tlilxochitl," which means "black flower." The Totonac believed that the orchid was a gift from the gods and used it in religious ceremonies and rituals.
When the Aztecs conquered the Totonac people in the 15th century, they learned about vanilla and began to use it in their own culture. They called it "xitomatl," which means "black pod," and used it to flavour a chocolate drink called "xocolatl."
Vanilla was introduced to Europe by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, who brought vanilla beans and chocolate back to Spain from Mexico in the early 16th century. It is thought that it’s at this time that vanilla was introduced to Nevis, probably by the Spanish sailing past en route back to Europe.
However, it wasn't until the 19th century that vanilla became widely used as a flavouring in Europe and North America. In around 1849, Edmond Albius*, a 12-year old enslaved boy living on the island of La Réunion, formerly known as Bourbon Island, a French colony in the Indian Ocean, discovered a way to hand-pollinate vanilla orchids, which allowed for more efficient cultivation of the plant. This method of pollination revolutionized the vanilla industry, and it is still used today in vanilla production, making vanilla cultivation much more efficient and profitable. Albius was eventually granted his freedom and became a respected member of the community. This discovery led to the widespread cultivation of vanilla in other tropical regions, such as Madagascar, Réunion, and Tahiti.
Today, Madagascar is the world's largest producer of vanilla, followed by Indonesia and Mexico. Vanilla is used in a wide range of products and the demand for the natural product has led to high prices and an increase in the development of synthetic vanilla flavourings.