What does vanilla taste like? Vanilla: why natural spice is better than vanillin

The words of the famous American nutritionist Professor Henry Sherman - "old age is a disease, and it is curable - is confirmed by scientists from all over the world. We ourselves must do everything to ensure that not a single child gets sick in the family and not a single elderly person suffers from old age .

A person can live 300,400 and 1000 years if his body is provided with all the substances necessary for life. This opinion is shared by many natural scientists dealing with the problems of longevity. Roger Bacon, for example, considers a normal human lifespan to be 1,000 years.

There is nothing supernatural in this. The human body is made up of protoplasm. Scientists say that there is nothing in protoplasm that can grow old or cannot be renewed. By 1928, 8,000 generations of protoplasm had been registered, which the scientists L. Woodroof, R. Erdman, and others studied for 17 years, and this protoplasm not only did not change, but not the slightest sign of destruction was found in it.

There are many centenarians in Nature and among people. Here are the examples that the famous English gerontologist Justin Glace cites in his book "Live to 180".

"In the greenhouse of the Palace of Versailles, an orange tree planted by Eleanor of Castile grows. In Mexico there is a cypress tree that is a contemporary of Cortes. Baobabs growing in the African savannas reach an age of 5,000 years. Some fish (carp, pike), as well as animals (boar) live about 300 years, turtles - several centuries; monkeys, swans, some types of parrots - 100 - 300 years.

As for people, according to the Old Testament, Methuselah almost reached the limit of longevity ... he died at the age of 969 years. Joseph lived BUT, Sarah - 127, Abraham - 175, Moses - 120 years.

The ancient Greeks (Pelasgians) believed that "to die at the age of 70 is almost the same as to die in the cradle."

Today, the average life expectancy of a person is 70 years, so the very idea that you can live long and not suffer at the same time seems fantastic. But it all depends on your mood and your lifestyle and thoughts.

Professor Henry Sherman proved that the lifespan of animals can be increased by eating food that contains all the necessary elements. Previously, a person simply did not have knowledge about the needs of his body and therefore could not satisfy them, and this led him to severe illnesses and early death.

Many mistakenly believe that a person cannot live without getting sick and aging. But the science of man has already accumulated so much knowledge that now man himself can take care of his health. However, healthy longevity requires a certain lifestyle.

What must be observed in order for a person to have a long life?

1. Full breathing.

2. Active muscle movements aimed at cleansing the capillaries, and regular exercises to increase the circulation of blood, lymph, all body fluids, and physical labor.

3. Straight, flexible spine.

4. Rational nutrition (a sufficient amount of all the necessary ingredients that create a living cell, tissue, body organs).

5. Drinking up to 2.5-3 liters of fluid daily.

6. Full sleep at least 8-9 hours a day.

7. Physiological balance in the work of the whole organism: its cells, tissues, organs, systems.

8. Positive emotions.

9. Serious noble goals that awaken the great energy of creativity, the desire for constant learning, curiosity, the desire to be pleasant, useful, necessary to others.

The duration of his life depends on the person himself. Serious big life goals, love, activity for the benefit of others give rise to energy, help a person survive, despite the most tragic circumstances! or the gloomy prognosis of doctors who consider his non-1 illness to be curable.

There are no incurable diseases, there is ignorance in the issue of diagnosis, misunderstanding of the causes of their occurrence, not knowledge of the means and methods of elimination. Therefore, every person should be literate in matters of health. This and only this will help him to live a creative, interesting life, using the achievements of modern science, his own and other people's experience, as well as his own mental, spiritual. and physical strength to realize their abilities.

We know too little what we are really capable of. Self-knowledge should open our eyes to ourselves. And if you make serious efforts, everyone can become what he wants to be.

The human body is a magnificent, self-renewing, self-regenerating, self-improving system, but even it cannot function normally if it is used incorrectly, barbarously and not for its intended purpose.

Our health, happiness, love, well-being depend only on us!

However, all people from childhood get used to the idea that 70 years, even 50, 60 is the age limit. If such a thought is accepted as an axiom, it is firmly rooted in the mind and further influences the behavior and mood of a person. Skepticism, doubt, fear can nullify any effort.

If you want to achieve the desired results and meet your birthday at 200 years old (believe that this is quite possible), first of all, do not assume that old age is close, that you are in danger of illness, that you are becoming weaker, and your health should be deteriorating. Such thoughts are dangerous, they paralyze your will to succeed. Begin to act according to the program of full-fledged health of life, which we will coordinate and develop together.

When I was 65 years old, I traveled through Egypt and in this journey I felt like a young, quite attractive woman next to young students, young tourists and ancient pyramids. Without knowing the language, we understood each other, had fun together, danced, talked, found ways to express our feelings, although everyone was of different ages. Age for me is an abstract value. I am interested in life, I am interested in people and I have something to work on, and most importantly - something to learn. I know: as long as a person is interested in LIVING, as long as he strives to learn something that is not yet known, and even more so if the desire to please someone has not left him, he is young.

Old age is not terrible. Terrible decrepitude, generating indifference.

In most developed countries, the number of elderly and old people is rapidly increasing. When people become quite decrepit, they require self-care. Accordingly, the number of those who care for the elderly is growing. This means that a large percentage of the creative, able-bodied population will not work in the main productive sectors and there will be a labor shortage in society. This is a serious problem for all countries. Therefore, the fight against old age is a problem of enormous scale. It is being studied by scientists all over the world.

Many scientists believe that a person ages because the protein molecules that enter the body with food, which is necessary for cell renewal and repair, are blocked and therefore cannot be absorbed and then used for their intended purpose. As a result, they become a useless "heap of garbage" that clogs cell membranes. This cluttering of the body with unnecessary (undigested) proteins leads to cell aging and death.

Obviously, after 25 years, and even more so after 45, when the work of the endocrine glands is rebuilt to a different mode, a person should behave prudently with protein:

First, do not exceed its daily norm of 23–25 g;

Secondly, remember that it is easier and better to digest not animal protein, but vegetable protein in its natural (natural) form;

Thirdly, after 20–25 years, animal protein should be consumed only 1–2 times a week;

The main thing is not to forget to cleanse yourself with hunger once a week, at least for 24-36 hours.

The best proteins for humans are vegetable proteins. They are found in all fruits, vegetables, greens, nuts and sunflower and pumpkin seeds. The well-known nutritionist Tom Sayes (Great Britain) has been treating prematurely aged people, as well as disabled people, whom doctors considered hopelessly ill, for more than 20 years. His method consisted in the dosed use of food containing proteins, vitamins and mineral salts.

And his patients again acquired health and vitality, which, of course, proves that old age can be pushed back, and youth can be prolonged.

Laboratory studies clearly demonstrate that the life expectancy of animals increases by 46.4% due to the addition of vitamins B5, B6, nucleic acids to food.

It is fatty deposits in the liver and other organs that contribute to the development of diseases such as atherosclerosis, paralysis, etc. The main method of treatment in such cases is a plant-based protein diet with plenty of foods rich in choline, inositol and B vitamins. These vitamins are usually found in seeds some cereals (buckwheat, rice, corn), legumes, beets, yeast, liver - all of them are necessary for the normalization of fat metabolism.

In Russia, doctors and scientists were very seriously "dealing with the issues of longevity. Among the well-known specialists who worked in this field are Ilya Mechnikov, Vladimir Filatov, Olga Lepeshinskaya, Alexander and Viktor Bogomoltsev.

Professor Alexander Bogomolets founded the Institute of Experimental Biology and Pathology in Ukraine, was the president of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR and became famous for his theory of longevity. He proved that aging occurs as a result of a decrease in the body's ability to absorb nutrients and water.

Why does the body's ability to absorb the substances it needs decrease? Bogomolets explains it this way: when cells are malnourished, their energy or activity decreases, resulting in aging and death (cells starve and die). He proved that aging occurs as a result of compaction of organs and tissues due to changes in the connective tissue.

A practical confirmation of his theory was the famous ACS serum - a substance that stimulates and restores connective tissue, due to which the cells of the whole organism were also restored. This serum is effective in the treatment of certain cancers. However, its production is associated with very great difficulties.

And here are vibrational exercises from the Six Rules of Health according to the Niche System, contrasting air and water; procedures and an increase in the diet of natural vitamins C (ascorbic acid), E, ​​A, D, as well as essential trace elements: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, copper, iodine, sulfur, etc. - fully compensate for the effect produced by ACS serum.

A relative of Professor A. Bogomolets, Viktor Bogomolets, developed a method of rejuvenation and prevention of aging, calling it external therapy. The essence of the method is to stimulate and nourish the connective tissue and endocrine system (and, as a result, all body cells) through the skin.

When using the external therapy method, the skin absorbs certain substances that act on the cells of the body and thus activate its functions. However, any stimulation is temporary. And its consequences can be completely unpredictable.

An outstanding domestic biologist V. Filatov discovered substances that are formed in large quantities during the destruction of organic tissues and which have tremendous energy and the ability to restore living tissue.

In living Nature, one can often observe the effects of these substances. For example, decaying tissues of plants or animals become the best fertilizers. It is believed that Filatov was the first biologist who paid attention to these substances and began to experiment with them. He called them biogenic stimulants. Actually, these are not some specific substances, but a set of substances, the composition of which has not yet been determined. It is known that they are very heat-resistant: at temperatures above 100 ° C, they retain their properties for an hour, soluble in water, they cannot be attributed to either proteins or enzymes.

Filatov's merit lies in the fact that he was the first to identify biogenic stimulants in all living tissues, as well as in the soil, which is a rich repository of these substances.

He believed that the healing effect of water in some sources is explained by the content in it not only of mineral salts, but also of biostimulants, with which it is charged underground. By introducing a microscopic piece of human tissue under the skin, Filatov believed, it is possible to influence connective tissues through the circulatory system and all cells, thereby renewing and activating them. At the same time, Filatov proposed the human placenta as the best foreign tissue.

Before Filatov, methods of hormone injections, vaccinations, etc. were used, which affected only one organ or one organ system, but at the same time, as a rule, the overall endocrine balance and all reactions of the body as a whole were disturbed. Filatov's research and work showed that any effective method of rejuvenation or regeneration should be carried out through the impact not on individual organs, but on the whole organism as a single energy system.

Many modern scientists recognize that in addition to biostimulants and external therapy, psychological factors also play an important role in the complete rejuvenation of the body. And this is definitely.

The human mind is a tremendous force for survival, against disease, premature withering, aging and death.

A person must know the laws of action of this force, as well as the laws of a rational balanced diet and any other Laws of Life - a living cell, tissue, organs, systems. Only this will allow humanity to create a unified longevity program by selecting effective methods of body renewal.

The efforts expended by us will certainly receive a "response" of the organism itself. And when we begin to feel that our energy is increasing, the horizons of a full-fledged creative, interesting and long life will open before us. Then we forget about our age.

Chronological age will not be of great importance, biological age will become important, that is, the state of cells, tissues from which our organs, systems, vessels, temperament, character, personality are formed. And you can rejuvenate if you help yourself in this.

Do not allow yourself to think that the manifestations of old age are inevitable. Remember the words of Dr. G. Sherman: "Old age is a disease, and it is curable! You can get away from old age only when you yourself do not accept it as an inevitable inevitability."

The time has come to treat old age, like any disease!

Chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, biology, physiology, psychology and parapsychology have reached the level of development when a person can build a program of creative longevity for himself and reach the biological limit of life.

Man can and should live long without aging.

The latest discoveries in the field of biochemistry of the human body make it possible to increase not the period of aging, but the duration of youth. At the same time, the human individual will improve qualitatively and become stronger. As a result, a person will acquire additional spiritual and material benefits.

What are the reasons "limiting" the duration of youth and human life?

1. Environment with an unfavorable mode of life, violation of biological, economic, social, ideological norms of human life.

2. Lack of good nutrition.

3. Unbalanced intake of amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, fiber, water, enzymes, vitamins and trace elements, which can only be found in plant foods.

4. Autointoxication, or self-poisoning of the body.

5. Stress, fears, negative emotions.

Excitement, grief, fear - any negative emotions disrupt the functions of the glands, the internal organs of digestion, increase blood pressure, create tension in the body, and destroy cellular structures. People get sick and die just because negative thoughts are constantly present in their minds. The state of the psyche and the physical functioning of the body are closely interconnected.

6. Insoluble problems of life.

When a difficult problem arises in front of a person, which he solves for a long time and unsuccessfully, such psychological work affects the entire body: headaches, pains in muscles, blood vessels appear, and some kind of disease (asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular and others) may even develop. diseases up to cancer).

For example, some experts attribute asthma to either unresolved problems or dashed hopes.

7. Dissatisfaction with needs.

A person who unsuccessfully tries to be in the center of everyone's attention is seriously deteriorating physical condition. And although this deterioration has a real expression in the form of this or that disease, its cause lies in the psyche. It is simply amazing how much brain activity affects the state of organs and systems.

8. Violation of the functioning of the endocrine glands.

Each gland produces hormones that control or regulate physiological processes in the body, with the pituitary gland playing a decisive role. In turn, the activity of the pituitary gland is regulated by the nerve centers of the cerebral cortex. In the event of a malfunction of the endocrine gland, signs of a disease may appear.

9. Lack of serious goals, ideals.

Without them, a person does not believe in anything. And without faith, without the desire for knowledge and goodness, he is not a person. Who needs him like that? He can't even be happy with himself.

"Unsatisfied needs, negative emotions, negative thoughts" pull the strings "in the body, and you need to know your instrument well so that these strings do not" burst "if we want to wage a successful fight against premature death and old age," writes J. Glass.

Overcoming these causes is quite a feasible task.

I. How to learn to breathe correctly? We must remember that correct breathing is skin breathing. Skin, or cellular, respiration significantly improves well-being, heals, and rejuvenates the body.

It is known that the frequency of breathing, the depth of inhalations and exhalations affect everything - the functions of the body, including brain activity. It is believed that frequent and shallow breathing reduces life expectancy. So, for example, a dog breathes much more frequently than a person, and its average life expectancy is 4 times less.

Therefore, the program of longevity and youth should include the technique of proper breathing - deep, long, skin, natural.

Performing daily 2 times a day the Six Rules of Health, contrasting water and air procedures (bath, shower, douche) will help develop proper breathing.

II. How to fully provide your body with muscle movements?

It has long been known that muscle fitness and movement are the source of youth and health. Decrepitude, lethargy of muscles - the first signal of the onset of aging. It is necessary to regularly and evenly not only load the muscle, but also clean the capillaries that feed each muscle cell. And here the tension is just as harmful as the inactivity of the muscles. Remember the Six Rules of Health!

III. How to get good nutrition? Many nutritionists of the world believe that life expectancy can be increased to 200–400 years only through good nutrition. Indeed, with the help of food, we can give our body everything it needs to restore and renew cells, which means to prolong youth and health.

Let’s remember what a healthy diet is.

For good nutrition you need:

1) observe the physiological cycles of the body;

2) consume 70% of foods rich in light, air, water, that is, consume fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, greens, and only 30% boiled concentrated food (all boiled food is concentrated); it turns in our body into a salt of oxalic acid, which accumulates and serves as the basis for all diseases without exception. And although neither doctors, nor "food lovers", nor workers in the food industry are willing to take note of this, the laws of Nature act inevitably;

3) adhere to the correct combination of products;

4) receive only the necessary amount of food (people usually eat much more than what is necessary for their body);

5) drink at least 2.5–3 liters of liquid (usually people drink little, and water is also food and a regulator of all life processes in the body (see chapter "Principles of good nutrition");

6) to know the nature of the ingredients from which the diet is built, which will allow everyone to create a complete diet for themselves;

7) observe fasts and cleanse the body systematically;

8) exclude refined foods, canned food, sugar and sweets, pastries, alcohol, tea, coffee, chocolate, medicines, tobacco, salt, and any stimulants from consumption.

IV. How to ensure a good state of mind? Prolongation of youth and longevity is largely due to the state of the psyche. But the mental state of the body is closely related to the state of capillaries, blood circulation, blood oxygenation, full gas exchange, water supply, the work of excretory organs: skin, intestines, kidneys, lungs, liver - and, of course, from. nutrition.

Health, freedom from disease, longevity and eternal youth of a person are completely dependent on the good functioning of the four main components: skin, nutrition, limbs and psyche, integrating the human body into a single whole. These elements are unique, as they retain their individuality and at the same time "gather" a person together. In other words, each of them can be separated from the other and made to work or rest at will.

Of course, a person can be considered in terms of other components: bones, muscles, blood and lymph, blood vessels and lymphatic channels, respiratory organs, glands, nervous system, sensory organs, etc. But all these components, in contrast to the above four components are inseparable from each other and lose their individuality, and if any of them is disturbed, treating it separately from the others is useless; effective treatment is only the restoration of coordination between all components. And the main elements - skin, nutrition, limbs, psyche - can be cured separately, not only by hygienic methods, but also by physiotherapy.

However, it should be recalled that all the methods of the Nisha Health System (Six Rules of Health, contrast water and contrast air baths, proper, wholesome nutrition and psychological positive attitude) are simultaneously aimed at creating healthy skin, limbs, nutrition and psyche.

The state of the psyche always depends on the full functioning of the brain and endocrine glands.

The brain is the center that coordinates all physiological, biochemical, mental processes and has both positive and negative effects on the body. On the one hand, the brain can create mental images, make intuition, superconsciousness work, accelerate the achievement of the desired in a particular area of ​​human activity, but on the other hand, the brain is able to form fears, stress syndrome and negatively affect the work of all organs and systems.

To avoid disappointments, contradictions, stresses, overstrains that lie in wait for each of us on the path of life, we must learn to control our consciousness. You need to be able to manage your emotions, constantly create a reliable "line of defense" in the body against the destructive forces of stress and fear.

Everything in the body is interconnected: good health provides mental balance, and a healthy mind is the foundation of a normal physical condition and mood.

Not only the activity of the brain depends on the activity of the endocrine glands, but also the activity of individual systems, organs, tissues, cells, and therefore the whole organism as a whole. The state of the endocrine glands themselves depends on how well their needs are met, how straight our spine is, whether our posture is correct, whether blood circulation, breathing are active, and, finally, what is our way of life and thoughts.

Since the structure of all human organs is based on a cell (the structural unit of our body), I propose, before talking in detail about the activity of the endocrine glands, to dwell in detail on a very important element of our health - the properties of the skin.

It happens that you walk around the city and involuntarily catch a pleasant smell of baking, before your eyes you immediately see a picture of an appetizing bun, freshly baked pies or some other muffin. All this smell comes from some bakery or bakery.

Due to the fact that such a spice as vanillin is added to the dough, baking acquires a pleasant aroma.

What is vanillin made from?

Vanillin is a colorless, crystalline powder, with a characteristic vanilla odor, obtained by synthesis in the laboratory. The demand for such a spice exceeds the collection of vanilla itself, which is why it is necessary to synthesize vanillin by an artificial method. It has the ability to dissolve in water. Since vanilla itself is very expensive, due to the difficulty in growing it, it is necessary to replace it with a powder with the addition of vanilla extract. For large-scale production of bakery products, vanillin is used because of its cheapness and availability. Nowadays, on the shelves of supermarkets or in the market, you can easily find the right seasoning.

Vanillin types

There are several types of vanillin in production:

• Crystal. It has a pronounced vanilla flavor and is used in baking, chocolate and ice cream production. Enhances its scent at high temperatures.
• Powdered vanillin. It has the form of a powder, has the ability to dissolve easily in liquids, has a characteristic aroma of vanilla, and is used in the production of chocolate.
• Vanillin in liquid form. Used in the preparation of drinks.

How to make vanilla sugar

What can replace vanilla? Vanilla sugar has been popular with housewives and has been used in cooking since ancient times, mainly in the preparation of confectionery and bakery products. It has a sweet taste, pleasant aroma of vanilla.

The basic procedure for obtaining vanilla sugar is to mix powdered sugar with vanilla extract.

Vanilla pod must be mixed with sugar and left for a while to saturate the aroma. After that, it is necessary to keep in a dark, closed place so that the smell does not disappear.

Sugar is produced by growing beets. After the beet has passed the technological process of processing, a sweet product is obtained from it.

The process of growing vanilla is the most time-consuming due to the fact that the plant has to be pollinated artificially. The price of vanilla is much higher than that of sugar.

You can make vanilla sugar yourself, without any problems at home, if you have the right ingredients. If you have the time and desire, cooking will not be difficult. Vanilla Sugar Ingredients:

• 1 kg sugar
• 1 vanillin pod

Peel the pod from the seeds, and mix with powdered sugar and leave for a while to soak in the smell.

The use of vanillin and vanilla sugar in cooking

Vanillin has a wide range of applications not only in the food industry, but also in the cosmetic industry. You can often catch hints of vanilla in the aroma of perfume. There is also a wide selection of shampoos, shower gels, soaps, creams, etc. with vanilla scent. But, as we have said, the main area of ​​\u200b\u200buse is cooking.

What can vanilla be used for?

When cooking, you should strictly adhere to the recipe, as this spice has a pronounced taste. With an overdose of this spice, the dish may be bitter.. On sale, this product often comes in a weight of 1 or 2 grams. One bag of 1 g is enough for 1000 g of flour. When preparing flour dishes, the recipe is mixed with dry ingredients. In the manufacture of milkshakes or any other drinks, vanillin is advised to use in liquid form. Approximately 1-2 grams per 1 liter of liquid.

By itself, it tends to dissolve well in water, alcohol, fat. Use this powder to enhance the flavor of dishes. When using cosmetics, the smell remains on the hair and skin for a long time, it tends to soothe and relax. It is also found in the form of incense sticks to give a pleasant smell in the house.

Vanilla sugar is widely used in the manufacture of confectionery creams, ice cream, all possible pastries, drinks, milkshakes. For baking, it is necessary to proceed from the calculation that for 1 kg of sugar there are 8-10 grams of vanilla sugar. It is used in the process of kneading the dough or for sprinkling the product on top.

Vanilla sugar is more suitable for home baking lovers. Making this spice at home is very easy and not difficult. It is necessary to purchase vanilla in the form of a stick, it will last for a very long time. You should mix sugar with a stick and leave it to smell, so you will always have the opportunity to make vanilla sugar.

Vanilla is often added to spirits such as cognac or homemade liqueurs.

The difference between vanillin and sugar infused with vanilla extract is that vanillin has a finer grinding and is more concentrated than vanilla powdered sugar. When using this concentrate to prepare a variety of dishes, it requires much less than vanilla powdered sugar. Vanilla sugar is chemically different in that it is more natural in its components than vanillin.

For small children, sweets are not desirable. This can lead to your child suffering from cavities.

Useful properties of vanillin and vanilla sugar

The smell of vanilla has the ability soothe, muffle the feeling of aggression, anxiety, irritation. This smell can easily cheer up, give confidence. Helps fight insomnia. It is an antidepressant of its kind.

Vanillin is a crystalline powder that has a specific taste and aroma. We can say that this is a cheaper version of natural vanilla, which was invented with the aim of its large-scale use in the manufacture of confectionery, alcoholic beverages and perfumes. Vanillin is highly soluble in liquid. When using vanillin, the main thing is not to overdo it, since the taste of the final product will be bitter, on average, for 1 kg of dough, it is necessary to take no more than 7 g.

Vanillin is found not only in the vanilla plant, but also in cane sugar, potato peel, etc. Mexico City is considered to be the birthplace of the substance, on the territory of which a large number of orchids grow, from which vanillin is obtained. To date, the plant is common in areas with a tropical climate. There are several forms of artificial vanillin (see photo):

1. Crystal variant. It has a characteristic aroma and stands out for its high temperature resistance. Used in baking, ice cream, etc.
2. Powdered version. It is a combination of vanillin and additives. Used in the manufacture of chocolate. Easily soluble in water.

The difference between vanillin and vanilla and vanilla sugar

Many hostesses are interested in what is the difference between vanilla, vanillin and vanilla sugar? In fact, all these additives have one thing in common: smell. In all other respects, they are fundamentally different. You need to start with the fact that vanilla is natural among them. It is a short or long brown pods with a rich aroma and flavor. The cost of real vanilla is quite high, so over time, cheaper substitutes for this ingredient appeared - vanilla sugar and vanillin.

Vanillin is small brown crystals that have almost the same rich aroma and flavor of vanilla. This ingredient is commonly used in baked goods and is unsweetened on its own. And vanilla sugar, on the contrary, has sweetness, but the smell of vanilla is less pronounced. This ingredient is made from vanillin and sugar.

The difference between vanilla, vanillin, and vanilla sugar lies in the consistency, appearance of the ingredient, as well as the concentration of flavor particles. If you are wondering: “Which is better: vanillin or vanilla sugar?”, then feel free to opt for vanillin. It is more natural and has a strong flavor and can also benefit the body. You can read more about the beneficial properties of vanillin in the next section.

Beneficial features

The benefit of vanillin lies in its action as a sedative. The aroma of spices helps to get rid of stress and relax. Vanillin has a positive effect on the action of the nervous system, which in turn helps to cope with insomnia and headaches.

Contrary to common misconception, the use of spices during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not prohibited. The beneficial properties of vanilla and vanillin allow you to cheer up and get rid of depression. The smell of this spice also helps to get rid of irritation and calm the nervous system, which is very important for the health of pregnant women.

Natural vanilla in diabetes is not prohibited. It can be added to desserts and drinks in small quantities, but you need to be careful with vanilla and vanilla sugar. If you add this spice to your meals, consult your doctor first.

When losing weight, it is useful for the body to inhale vapors of vanilla or vanillin, as well as add one of these ingredients to food and drinks. However, do not overdo it with the amount of added spices, as for weight loss you need to use them in moderation.

Use in cooking

Vanilla is widely used in cooking for variety and to improve the taste of many dishes, but primarily pastries and desserts. In addition, it is put in curd and dairy products. Vanillin is added to syrups, creams, sweet sauces and various drinks.

In cooking, it is best to use not powder, but crystalline vanillin, since it does not lose its properties during heat treatment. Such a product is suitable for adding to dough or desserts, but not every hostess knows when it is better to add an ingredient. In our article we will tell you about it.

Before adding vanillin to a dish or baking dough, it is recommended to dissolve the spice in water so that the product mixes better with other ingredients. But at the same time, you should know that vanillin almost does not dissolve in cold water, and loses its gastronomic properties in excessively hot water. That is why it is desirable to dilute it with warm, but not hot water. Also, many chefs recommend pouring vanillin with alcohol or vodka. The spice is dissolved in alcohol, and then mixed with warm sugar syrup, after which it is added to the dough or dish.

If the recipe does not provide for the addition of alcohol-containing substances, then vanillin should be mixed with dry ingredients. For one kilogram of dough, from one to ten grams of spice is usually used, depending on the required saturation of taste and aroma.

You should also clarify the fact that vanillin must be of high quality if you want its taste and aroma in baking or other dishes to be more pronounced.

What to replace and in what proportions?

Sometimes it is required to replace vanillin in some dishes for various reasons. As a substitute, it is better to use natural vanilla in small proportions, if you like this particular smell and taste. But natural vanilla sticks are quite problematic to find, and their cost is high, so most hostesses add other ingredients to baking. Here is an example of products that can replace vanillin:

• cinnamon;
• anise;
• ginger;
• carnation;
• ground cocoa;
• lemon peel;
• vanilla powder;
• vanilla sugar;
• vanilla extract;
• edible vanilla flavor.

When using these products, you should be aware that some of them have certain conditions of use. For example, vanilla extract is used only for cooking dishes that will not be cooked. Often these are various desserts or toppings for cakes or pastries, as well as chilled drinks. Vanilla sugar has a low concentration of flavors, so it will have to be added quite a lot, based on the proportion: two small spoons of the product are equal to a pinch of vanillin.

Lemon zest is rubbed on a fine grater before adding to dishes. As for edible vanilla extract, in addition to the smell and taste of vanilla, the product allows you to give pastries or desserts a nutty, caramel or other flavor, depending on the type of flavor you choose.

How to make natural vanillin at home?

At home, you can make natural vanillin yourself, the process is easy and does not take you much effort. To do this, you need to take granulated sugar and a vanilla pod. The pod must be divided into 2 halves and with a knife, clean out the seeds, which are the most valuable and fragrant part of the product. Now it is worthwhile to carefully combine and mix the sugar and the resulting seeds. The peeled pod should also be put in sugar. Everything must be transferred to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and left for a couple of days.

Unusual uses

Today, vanillin is used not only in cooking. There are many unusual ways to use this ingredient, among which we can distinguish traditional medicine, cosmetology, and even fishing. In our article, you will find many non-standard solutions and learn how you can use vanillin in everyday life and in nature.

Folk remedies for insects

Vanillin is an excellent folk remedy for insects that will help get rid of midges, mosquitoes, bedbugs, ticks, ants and other pests. This spice is added to ointments or creams that help relieve itching and swelling after mosquito bites. We suggest that you carefully study and take note of our recommendations, which will be useful to you more than once in everyday life.

• A solution of vanillin will help get rid of mosquitoes and midges, if prepared correctly. To do this, you need to dilute one bag of spices in a liter of water, pour the resulting liquid into a spray bottle and spray it around the apartment. You can also spray a little mixture on the body before going to the forest or to the river, where there are most mosquitoes and midges. If you need more liquid, then increase the proportions. By making such an insect repellent, you can get rid of annoying buzzing, as well as itchy bites.
• If you go outdoors, you will need an effective mosquito repellent with the addition of vanillin. You can cook it with your own hands as follows. Take any available baby cream, prepare vanillin, as well as a small deep container, then mix the ingredients in it, based on a ratio of 10: 1, respectively. Mix all this well and apply the finished ointment to the bite site to relieve swelling and itching. You can always carry such a cream, prepared with your own hands, so that mosquito bites do not take you by surprise.
• You can also prepare an effective remedy for ticks at home. To do this, it is necessary to dissolve two grams of vanillin in one hundred milliliters of vodka or medical alcohol. Lubricate exposed areas of the body with the resulting tincture before going into the forest. Also, the liquid can be sprayed around the apartment in the intended habitats of ticks. Also, if you have pets, you can use this vanillin infusion to treat dog or cat hair.
• If you have bedbugs in your house or apartment, vanillin will help get rid of them. It will be enough just to sprinkle the area where the insects live with this remedy, and leave the vanillin there for a while. You can also dissolve the spice in medical alcohol and use a spray bottle to process the room. The reviews of most hostesses who have tried this method are mostly positive.
• Vanillin can help get rid of ants in the house and in the garden, if you prepare the right remedy. To do this, mix a pack of vanillin with water in the amount of one glass, add a spoonful of sugar, as well as a couple of drops of boric acid. Mix the liquid well and spray in those places where pests were noticed.

In most cases, vanillin-based insect repellents help quite effectively. You need to properly prepare the mixture, as well as apply it to the right place - and then the pests will no longer disturb you.

How to make perfume from vanillin with your own hands?

Since vanillin is actively used in cosmetology, delicious perfumes are made from it. Even with your own hands at home, you can do it. In our article, we will tell you in detail about this.

First you need to prepare all the necessary tools that will be needed in the process of creating perfumes. Be sure to stock up on the following items:

• convenient utensils for mixing ingredients;
• clean pipettes;
• bottles in which perfumes will be stored;
• the necessary ingredients.

If you do not pursue the goal that homemade perfumes have the most persistent aroma, and you want to make it look like eau de toilette, then you can start cooking. You need to collect about fifty milliliters of water in a bowl and add a couple of drops of essential oil, which we have a faint aroma. Preferably vanilla, as you will make perfumes with vanilla. After dissolving the oil in water and heating the mixture, pour in about five grams (half a bag) of vanillin, stir the liquid well so that the crystals dissolve, and use pipettes to pour the mixture into vials. Now you can use homemade perfume for its intended purpose.

Vanillin for fishing in bait

Vanillin is also suitable as a special bait for fishing. Usually it is mixed with various cereals when they are going to catch carp. Vanillin is best combined with boiled millet porridge, but you need to add it to an already cooked dish so that the vanilla flavor does not disappear under the influence of heat treatment.

For one kilogram of finished porridge, add two tablespoons of vanillin, mix the ingredients well, and then use the resulting mixture as bait.

In addition to millet porridge, vanillin is also added to pearl barley, semolina, and compound feed. Sometimes vanilla sugar is used instead of vanillin, but it does not have such a rich taste and aroma.

Groundbait based on vanillin can attract fish species such as crucian carp, tench, carp and bream. Try not to overdo it when adding spice to cereals, so as not to make them overly aromatic, as this can scare away fish.

Harm of vanillin and contraindications

Vanillin can harm people with individual intolerance to the product, which can manifest itself as irritations, age spots, etc. Accordingly, such a spice is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to its components.

It is very important to know that vanilla can easily be poisoned if you swallow too much. Symptoms of poisoning can be as follows: heartburn, unpleasant belching, indigestion, weakness, dizziness, nausea, chills, followed by fever. In case of vanillin poisoning, the negative consequences can last for a day, during which it is necessary to drink a lot of water, as well as drink absorbent medicines.

Vanillin can also cause harm if a person has an individual intolerance or allergy to this product. An allergic reaction is especially dangerous in infants and young children. Adults tolerate allergies much easier. The symptoms of an allergy to this food supplement are as follows:

• vomit;
• rash;
• stool disorder;
• lacrimation;
• rhinitis;
• swelling of the oral mucosa;
• elevated body temperature.

With such symptoms, it is necessary to call a doctor or inject an anti-allergic agent yourself, after making sure that it is actually an allergy.

Pregnant and lactating women are not forbidden to use the spice, but it is advisable to reduce its amount when added to dishes.

Among other things, vanillin can cause harm if this spice is abused. You should remember about contraindications, and also use only a quality product, avoiding fakes. In this case, nothing will threaten your body.

But in vain - a cheap white powder called "vanillin" loses much in taste and aroma to its natural original.

Once upon a time, vanilla grew only in what is now Mexico - the Aztecs used it as money and made their famous chocolate drinks from it. Now this plant of the orchid family can be found in Madagascar and Mauritius, Java and Central Africa, but, according to experts, the best pods are still born only in their historical homeland. The fact is that it is in Mexico that bees and hummingbirds live, capable of pollinating a whimsical orchid, while in other countries people have to do this. However, even if you go to the forests of Latin America and try to find vanilla by smell, you will not succeed: fresh pods have no taste and aroma, and they turn into a fragrant spice only as a result of fermentation. First, unripe green fruits are immersed in boiling water, then they are left to "sweat" in the sun, then they are dried for several months under awnings in the open air. Only after such a complex procedure, the pods become dark brown, and on especially valuable ones even a whitish coating appears - needle-like crystals of natural vanillin.

Nature

useful orchid

Vanilla promotes the production of the hormone of pleasure - serotonin, soothes, relaxes, improves skin elasticity and even alleviates the condition of ladies on critical days. Naturally, we are talking only about natural spices, because in addition to the aromatic substance of vanillin (it is only a few percent), there are also polyphenols, oils, vitamins and antioxidants. You can buy such a useful seasoning in the form of pods, powder or alcohol tincture.

Test tube pods

Quality vanilla beans should be thin, long, dark brown, glossy, shriveled, buttery, stretchy and slightly soft. Sticks with light veins that are easily broken or burst are not worth buying - they will not give a stable thick aroma. By the appearance of the pods, one can also determine their origin. The best Mexican fruits are the longest - 25-30 cm. Reunion vanilla, as well as sticks from the islands of Java and Sri Lanka, are darker and two to three times shorter. Pods from Mauritius are also not too big, light and less fragrant. And the spice from the island of Tahiti is considered the lowest quality - it is brown and reaches 15 cm in length.

It is best to purchase vanilla, which is sold in special test tubes, which usually contain one or more pods. In this package, the spice can be stored for quite a long time. If the spice is sold without a protective flask, immediately put it in any hermetically sealed container and put it away from the light.

reusable spice

Natural vanilla is quite expensive (sometimes the price of one stick reaches several hundred rubles), but it is consumed slowly, because it takes very little to cook it - for one serving 1/20 of the fruit or powder at the tip of a spoon. If you get a whole pod, cut it in half lengthwise, extract from it the core, consisting of many small black seeds, and crush them a little in a mortar. Then you can put them even in ice cream, even in sauce. However, it is more economical to use whole fruits. For example, put the pods in a jar of powdered sugar or sand and then add them to desserts instead of vanilla. Sweetness can be flavored in this way for a whole year. Or make an alcohol tincture - throw a couple of pods into a bottle of alcohol and let it brew (sometimes there are ready-made extracts on sale). True, the finished brownish liquid is added only to cold dishes - creams or mousses. By the way, if you are making vanilla sauce from a natural stick, do not throw it away after use. Hold the whole fruit or part of it for a while in the cream, then take it out, rinse lightly with water, dry it and put it in a dark place. A high-quality pod will “work” 5-6, or even 10 times.

Dessert Queen

Of course, vanilla is the queen of desserts. They put it in baking before putting the dish in the oven. If the food requires heat treatment, the spice is added 5-10 minutes before cooking. But in quick dessert creamy sauces, it is better to put the spice immediately so that it gives off its unique flavor. By the way, vanilla powder does not completely dissolve in dishes, because the tiny black inclusions you found in a scoop of ice cream or cookies are not dust or debris at all, but evidence that the cook used a natural spice.

In addition to all sorts of sweets, vanilla also works great in drinks - it flavors punch and sangria, and in hot chocolate or cocoa, it helps to mask unpleasant bitterness or acidity. If you're making coffee in a French press, put the vanilla along with the ground beans; if you are making espresso or americano, just pour the aromatic powder into a cup and stir the drink.

Vanilla... fish

Natural vanilla is unsweetened, so it can be used not only for making desserts, but also for creating second courses. Cooks put the spice in fish soup and mussel broth, make notches on the fish (for example, on the sea bream) and rub a little vanilla into them. The spice also shows itself in a rather original way in salads. Try making a dressing with olive oil, lemon or lime juice, a dash of garlic, a dash of white wine and vanilla powder. Mix everything well and pour into a salad of radicchio, iceberg and arugula with fried tiger prawns (instead of the latter, you can take Spanish jamon, and replace the arugula with another lettuce with a less pronounced taste).

Chemistry

cheap synthetics

The chemical substitute for vanilla was synthesized at the end of the 19th century. But, unfortunately, scientists have not been able to completely repeat the aroma of natural spices. The smell of an artificial analogue is less persistent and not as multifaceted as that of a natural prototype, because it lacks essential oils and most other useful substances.

Advantages of vanillin

However, vanilla has its advantages. Firstly, it is cheap and economical - only 15-20 g of colorless crystals can replace a whole kilogram of pods. Secondly, synthetics do not leave behind black dots, since they dissolve well in liquids. And thirdly, it is very easy to use - no need to mess with the pod, you just need to tear the bag and pour its contents into the dish. But the main thing here is not to overdo it, because vanillin is a very concentrated substance. If you put too many crystals in a dish, your food will be bitter and lose its taste. In order not to be mistaken, get small bags weighing 1 g, designed just for making one cake, muffin or liter of sauce. But first, find GOST on the package and check the crystals - they should be white or pale yellow.

A couple drops for the cake

When buying vanilla sugar or powder (their vanillin content ranges from 2.0 to 3.7%), also pay attention to the presence of GOST, otherwise the product may turn out to be odorless at all. By the way, you should not use flavored products in their pure form - chefs recommend diluting it with ordinary sugar in a ratio of 1/1 or 1/2. If you prefer to purchase a chemical spice in the form of an essence, stock up on a pipette, since you only need a couple of drops of concentrated tincture to flavor the dough or cream.

Expert opinion

Matvey Malyutin, brand chef at Santa Maria

Walking through the colorful foreign bazaars, you usually want to buy all the spices and spices, but I would not advise you to do this. For example, for high-quality vanilla, you need to go not to the market in Mexico, but to an ordinary supermarket. Stores sell certified goods that have been quarantined and passed all the necessary examinations, while the market may contain a product with larvae of various insects. If you don’t want to buy hundreds of pets along with vanilla, which then occupy not only the apartment, but also your body, buy pods in trusted places with a good reputation.