Artificial vanilla essence is a chemical reproduction of the vanillin flavour, one of 200 flavour compounds in real vanilla.
It is usually made from the pulp and paper process waste material or from road tar or even, in China, they have apparently reproduced vanilla flavour from cow dung!
Real vanilla comes from the pod of an orchid native to Central America, but is now grown widely in tropical countries. Because it goes through a long, complex curing process it tends to be expensive, hence the cheap artificial vanilla flavours found in everything from ice cream to baked goods.
Two new brands have come on the market recently; Heilala, from Tonga, and the large brand, Queen, which is processed in Australia.
• Heilala is the brainchild of John Ross and his family who have helped residents in Vava'u Islands, Tonga, establish organic plantations, and are even experimenting with growing it in Tauranga.
Their product, which comes straight from the organic plantation, is marketed under the Heilala brand and includes vanilla beans (nice and soft and fragrant - not hard like some), vanilla extract, vanilla paste, and vanilla sugar. Worth seeking out in specialist shops if you are looking for a fine vanilla. On the 'net: www.heilalavanilla.co.nz
• Queen is a long established Australian brand now making inroads into the New Zealand market and claims it is stronger than the regular New Zealand brands. It produces a paste, an essence, and an extra strongly flavoured extract. Look for them in supermarkets. On the 'net: www.queenessences.com.au
