If you think about it, you could remember the flavor of vanilla from your youth. On a hot day, nothing beats ice cream cones, the delicious taste of a warm birthday cake, or a selection of vanilla-flavored baked products. Unfortunately, most people aren’t exposed to real vanilla in the packaged goods they’re used to, and even fewer are exposed to genuine Tahitian vanilla, which is exclusively farmed on the islands of Tahiti.
Tahiti vanilla is a unique taste sensation. It is utilized in both sweet and savory Tahitian recipes and has a high level of complexity. Vanilla beans from Tahiti are rich, aromatic, exotic, and even sensual. Honey, cherry, and spice are all present in the flavor profile.
The Specialty of Tahitian Vanilla Beans
The world’s most delicious vanilla, Tahitian Vanilla Beans, has a wide range of culinary applications. The largest and fattest vanilla beans, Tahitian beans, provide a consistent vanilla flavor and make excellent all-purpose beans. The variety and intricacy of this spice are what make it so famous among professional chefs. Tahitian vanilla has a flavor that is different from its cousins. Tahiti vanilla beans are best used in foods that don’t call for a lot of heat. The essential oil extracted from Tahitian vanilla beans is commonly used in perfumes and soaps.
The vanilla beans from Tahiti are the largest and fattest on the market. They have a constant vanilla flavor and can be used in a variety of ways. When they’re young, they have distinct fig, licorice, and chocolate flavors. You adore making handmade extracts with these, and they’re fantastic in jams, sauces, preserves, and drinks. Many people describe it as flowery, spicy, or anise-like. Vanilla beans from Tahiti go well with tropical fruits.
Tahitian Vanilla Bean Curing
Vanilla pods from other regions of the world are not kept the same way as those from Tahiti. Most vanilla beans reach the end of their ripening cycle before being harvested in Madagascar and other places due to the intense wet season, however this is not the case with Tahitian vanilla. The pods are mature and ready to be harvested when they transition from green to yellow. Only the ripe vanilla pods are harvested from the plants, leaving the remaining seeds to develop their characteristic yellow color. The harvested seeds are then dried and stored until they develop and turn brown. After being rinsed in cold water, the beans are dried in the hot afternoon sun until they are golden brown all over. After drying, they are wrapped in woollen blankets and stored in thermal boxes for several days to absorb any remaining moisture.
Every day, the harvest beans are placed in the sun in such a way that the heat is evenly distributed among them. After several hours, when the beans are warm to the touch, they are wrapped up again to absorb moisture. This tried-and-true approach is well worth the effort because it aids in the development of the pods’ distinct flavor and scent. When the vanilla beans have lost 20-30% of their moisture, the processor begins sorting and grading them to determine which ones should be dried in the shade or stored in the box. Those that aren’t quite ready are kept in the sun for a few days and monitored. Finally, the expert inspects ready-to-sell beans, which is how these jewels find up in your kitchen cupboard.
What distinguishes Tahitian vanilla from other vanillas?
Tahitian vanilla has a distinct flavor from other vanilla varieties. Despite having a lower vanillin content than Mexican and Madagascar vanilla, Tahiti vanilla has a strong, distinct flavor and aroma. Both Mexican and Malagasy vanilla are similarly sweet and have a buttery texture and perfume due to high vanillin concentration, a chemical component that gives vanilla its distinct flavor. These beans, on the other hand, have hundreds of additional major aromatic components that contribute to their overall aromatic character, but Tahitian Vanilla has a higher concentration of the fragrant coumarin element, which contributes to its distinct flavor and aroma.
Although vanilla is native to Mexico, it has been grown in Tahiti’s tropical climate and volcanic soil for more than 170 years. The only orchid species used for purposes other than decoration is vanilla.
The aroma of Tahitian vanilla
The flavor of true Tahitian Vanilla Beans can only be described as pure delight for your taste buds. The flavor of these one-of-a-kind beans is mild, delicate, enticing, and fragrant. No other vanilla bean comes close to its luxurious, fragrant, exotic, and sensual flavors, which pair well with both sweet and savory dishes. It has a distinct flavor with cherry, chocolate, and spicy undertones, making it the most prized vanilla variety in the world.
In traditional Tahitian cuisine from the Tahitian Islands, you can prepare rich, creamy sweets from tapioca and fruits like banana, coconut, and cassava. It’s also a fantastic addition to a regular ice cream base for a unique vanilla ice cream! It has a great flavor when used in fish and seafood preparations.