In the cooking world vanilla is essential, and yet very invisible. Often referred to as the ladies knickers of baking.

Over 98% of the worlds vanilla is synthetic~ man made in a laboratory. Vashon Vanilla is a part of the best part~ the less than 2%.

The very best vanilla comes from Madagascar and represents 70% of the vanilla bean market. Then Indonesia, Mexico, and Papua New Guinea.

Vanilla is an orchid and its vines like to grow up trees. For only a few hours in the year ,on one day only, the flower of the vanilla orchid opens and is then hand pollinated. If not, then vanilla beans will not grow. Nine months later a fully mature vanilla bean is ready for hand picking. This green bean is cured, and dried when the bean turns dark brown and develops the wonderful vanilla flavor.

Oh and by the way, that imitation vanilla ? It has more in common with coal tar than actual real vanilla, because it has coal tar and other manufactured products to emulate vanilla in it. For my money, I'd rather use the real deal.

On the left or on the right ?