The Ancient Aztecs Used Vanilla As A Stimulant

Video: The Ancient Aztecs Used Vanilla As A Stimulant

Video: The Ancient Aztecs Used Vanilla As A Stimulant
Video: Tenochtitlan -The Venice of Mesoamerica (Aztec History) 2024, November
The Ancient Aztecs Used Vanilla As A Stimulant
The Ancient Aztecs Used Vanilla As A Stimulant
Anonim

Vanilla is a species of orchid that grows in Central America. Today it is cultivated in the United States and on islands in the Indian Ocean. The vanilla we use as a spice is the dried fruit of these orchids.

The vanilla orchid blooms with large light green flowers that have a very pleasant aroma, and its fruits are long brownish boxes with many seeds. The flowers open only once and are pollinated by a certain type of hummingbird and bees.

That is why vanilla is one of the most valued spices. Ripe fruits are used as a spice, but the strongest aroma has the seeds and oil that is in the box.

The aroma comes from the substance glucovanillin - this is a special glycoside, which is contained mostly in immature boxes. Synthetic vanillin is produced from lignin, a substance found in the bark of the tree.

Benefits of Vanilla
Benefits of Vanilla

The ancient Aztecs used a lot of vanilla, which they called the Black Flower. They prepared a special stimulating drink with cocoa, hot pepper, honey and vanilla.

The first to think of adding vanilla to pastries were the cooks at the court of Queen Elizabeth I of England. The French used vanilla to flavor their tobacco.

In the eighteenth century, vanilla was known as a powerful aphrodisiac. In addition to glucovanillin, vanilla contains tannins, ether, essential oil, resin, fat, sugar, minerals.

Aromatic acid, which is a major component of vanilla essential oil, has a beneficial effect on the skin. Vanilla extract can be used instead of essential oil for muscle pain and tension.

This extract improves digestion, eliminates pain, relaxes, reduces inflammation and prevents the spread of infections. When caring for dry facial skin, vanilla extract is used, but not more than one drop.

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