Vanilla is the second most expensive spice in the world. Only saffron beats it. It’s literally worth more than silver by weight.
Is Vanilla Flavouring The Same As Vanilla Extract | Detroit Chinatown
Madagascar grows 80% of the world’s vanilla. A cyclone there can double the price of your birthday cake. Global supply chain drama, in your spoon.
The term “extract” is regulated by the FDA. To call it pure vanilla extract, it must have 35% alcohol and 100 grams of vanilla beans per gallon. Imitation vanilla has no rules. It’s the wild west of baking.
Some high-end extracts use gourmet beans from Tahiti or Mexico. They taste floral, fruity, or even licorice-like. It’s a whole world in a tiny bottle.
