Vanilla's Not That Vanilla

Vanilla is one of the more popular flavors when it comes to syrups that are being added to coffee.  We usually hear about it being added to desserts like cakes and pastries.  It’s sweet flavor and scent is the perfect ingredient in this type of cuisine because it enhances that sweetness and the smell of the food. It is common to see Vanilla Torani syrups in coffee shops as it makes their sweet coffee-based concoctions even sweeter.

Most people do not know what a vanilla exactly is.  For them it is a kind of a flavor that is usually white in color and comes in bottles.  For most of us, we associate vanilla with being bland and boring, so much so that we describe someone who is not that exciting as “vanilla.” The immaculately white flavor of things like vanilla ice cream leads us to believe that since it doesn’t have an attention grabbing color, and its flavor is more on the tame side, anything that’s playing on the safe side is vanilla – from the goody-two-shoes friend to the yawn-inducing décor of a minimalist place, for example. But then, vanilla can also be unique in its delicateness, something that is not amiss among the millions of vanilla lovers all over the world. 

credits: Mobile Cuisine

Nowadays, bakers, even the home-based ones, are becoming more aware of the difference in flavor that comes from the real vanilla bean. Vanilla actually comes from an orchid with the genus Vanilla.  It usually comes from the tropical parts of the world where the weather is conducive for the orchid to bear flowers. Popular places where this can be found are Mexico, Tahiti, Madagascar and in Central and South America.   The fruits are dried and this is where the flavors can be extracted.  One recipe that is famous is Vanilla latté wherein milk is added to espresso and a few pumps of vanilla syrup are added to flavor it.

Other famous recipes are not complete without vanilla are Crème Patisserie or Pastry cream as well as pound cakes.  Here is a step-by-step recipe in making Crème Patisserie:

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups milk

3 egg yolks

¼ cup sugar

1/8 cup flour

2 tbsp and 2 tsp cornstarch

2 shots Torani syrup

First, warm the milk over low heat, but only up to the point that it is hot to steam. While waiting for the milk, mix egg yolks, cornstarch, flour, and sugar until you get a smooth mixture.

Add half of the "steaming" milk to the mixture while still whisking it. Then, combine the mixture to the remaining milk in the saucepan, keep on stirring for a couple of minutes until the temperature reads 170F and the consistency is thick.  After removing from heat, add the Torani syrup and chill before using it to fill empty pastry. 

These recipes derive its sweetness and scent from the vanilla syrup.  Adding Vanilla Torani syrup would certainly make these more special. Now, do you still think vanilla’s that boring? Vanilla can be fun and exciting after all!