All about Vanilla
Ancient History
The term "totonac" refers to the people living in Totonacapan region of Mexico.
Vanilla. The Totonacs believed it was a gift from the gods. According to stories passed through generations, vanilla orchids sprouted from the blood of a runaway deity and her forbidden human lover, both of whom were captured and killed by the deity’s father.
During the reign of the Aztecs, Totonacs gave tax to the Aztecs with vanilla pods/beans. As it became popular in the culture it was discovered that eating it had aphrodisiac effects which they would combine with cacao for ceremonies and name “xocolati” or chocolati. They would eventually call it the “black flower” since it turns black after curing.
Controlling the vanilla distribution, kept the Aztecs looking powerful in Mesoamerica and used it to impress Spaniard “explorers.” in 1519, the emperor Montezuma presented the now widely known Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes a ceremonial hot chocolati with the vanilla. Within the year Montezuma was dead. Even now, many Mexicans blame him for his poor leadership leading to the fall of the once great Aztec Empire.
By the 1700s vanilla was used primarily as perfume and fragrance and medicinal use, not culinary. It was strictly for the rich. Because the vanilla orchids in Mexico depended on their native bees to grow, it was a hard crop to get started outside of the native country until a 12 year old slave named Edmond Albius discovered that they could be pollinated by hand! Those techniques are still in use and jump-started the industry and business of vanilla. Because vanilla extraction is so labor intensive its price and value remained high until synthetic and imitation vanillas were invented. When vanilla started to become more available it started to turn up in cookbooks dessert recipes. It is what gave the new fizzy beverage Coca-Cola its unique flavor. As ice cream was becoming more mainstream plain ole vanilla wasn’t considered plain but rather as an exotic delicacy!
You don’t need to be rich to enjoy the flavors and scent of vanilla!
Benefits for Topical Use
full of antioxidants which free radicals and reverse skin damage
slows down signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots
soothes minor skin inflammation/irritation
improves skin texture
aromatherapy benefits of feelings of relaxation
*contraindicated for headaches
