Types of Vanilla
Flavor: rich, creamy, and sweet
History: They are produced from V. planifolia plants introduced from the Americas, is from Indian Ocean islands such as Madagascar, the Comoros, and Réunion, formerly named the Île Bourbon. It is also used to describe the distinctive vanilla flavor derived from V. planifolia grown successfully in tropical countries such as India.
Flavor: cherry-chocolate, fruity and floral smelling like licorice, prunes, wine and caramel.
History: From French Polynesia, made with V. tahitiensis. Genetic analysis shows this species is possibly a cultivar from a hybrid of V. planifolia and V. odorata. The species was introduced by French Admiral François Alphonse Hamelin to French Polynesia from the Philippines, where it was introduced from Guatemala by the Manila Galleon trade.
Flavor: chocolate, spicy, woody fragrance.
History: this is where vanilla started!!!. It's made from the native V. planifolia, is still naturally pollinated by bees of genus Melipona (abeja de monte or mountain bee) or Eulaema, or by hummingbirds. It is produced in much less quantity and marketed as the vanilla from the land of its origin.
- West Indian Vanilla
Flavor: full, chocolate
History: Made from V. pompona grown in the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The term French Vanilla is often used to designate particular preparations with a strong vanilla aroma, containing vanilla grains and sometimes also containing eggs (especially egg yolks). The appellation originates from the French style of making vanilla ice cream with a custard base, using vanilla pods, cream, and egg yolks. Inclusion of vanilla varietals from any of the former French dependencies or overseas France may be a part of the flavoring. Alternatively, French vanilla is taken to refer to a vanilla-custard flavor.