The Spice of Vanilla: Its History, Uses, and Zanzibar’s Role
Vanilla is one of the most popular and versatile spices in the world, used to flavor and fragrance a variety of foods, drinks, and products. But where does vanilla come from, and how did it become so widely used and valued? And what is the connection between vanilla and Zanzibar, the island off the coast of Tanzania? In this article, we will explore the history of vanilla, its uses in everyday cooking, and how Zanzibar has become one of the most important suppliers of vanilla to the world.
The origins of vanilla
Vanilla is a spice derived from the fruit of an orchid plant, which grows as a vine in tropical forests. There are over 100 species of vanilla orchids, but only three are commercially cultivated: Vanilla planifolia, Vanilla tahitensis, and Vanilla pompona. Vanilla planifolia, also known as Bourbon vanilla or Madagascar vanilla, is the most common and widely used species, producing the classic vanilla flavor and aroma.
Vanilla is native to South and Central America and the Caribbean, and the first people to have cultivated it were the Totonacs of Mexico’s east coast. They gathered the fragrant pods from wild orchids, and used them as a fragrance in temples and as a flavoring for food and beverages. The Aztecs acquired vanilla when they conquered the Totonacs in the 15th century, and used it to flavor their chocolate drink, xocolatl. The Spanish, in turn, got vanilla when they conquered the Aztecs in the 16th century, and brought it back to Europe, where it became a luxury item for the nobility and the wealthy
The expansion of vanilla
Vanilla remained a rare and expensive spice for centuries, as it was difficult to grow and produce outside its native habitat. The vanilla orchids only bloom for a few hours once a year, and require a specific type of bee, the melipona, to pollinate them. The pods also need to be cured and dried for several months to develop their flavor and aroma. The Spanish tried to cultivate vanilla in their colonies, but failed to produce any pods, as they did not have the melipona bees or the knowledge of curing.
The breakthrough came in the 19th century, when two events changed the fate of vanilla. The first was the discovery of artificial pollination, which enabled the production of vanilla pods without the melipona bees. The discovery was made by a 12-year-old slave named Edmond Albius, who lived on the French island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. He devised a simple method of using a blade of grass to lift a membrane and transfer the pollen from the male to the female part of the flower. His method was soon adopted by other vanilla growers, and enabled the cultivation of vanilla in other tropical regions, such as Madagascar, Indonesia, Uganda and Tanzania
The second event was the invention of synthetic vanilla, which reduced the cost and increased the availability of vanilla flavoring. Synthetic vanilla, also known as vanillin, is a chemical compound that mimics the main component of natural vanilla. Synthetic vanilla was first synthesized from pine bark by German chemist Wilhelm Haarmann in 1874, and later from other sources, such as coal tar, clove oil, and rice bran. Synthetic vanilla became widely used in the food and perfume industries, as it was cheaper and more consistent than natural vanilla. However, synthetic vanilla also lacked the complexity and richness of natural vanilla, and could not replace its unique aroma and taste
The role of Zanzibar
Zanzibar, an island off the coast of Tanzania, has a long and fascinating history of spice production and trade, dating back to ancient times. Zanzibar was strategically located along the Indian Ocean trade routes, connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe. The island had a fertile soil and a tropical climate, ideal for growing various spices, such as cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, pepper, and ginger. The traders brought these spices from Zanzibar to other parts of the world, where they were highly valued for their flavor, aroma, and medicinal properties.
Zanzibar’s spice trade reached its peak in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the island became a colony of the Omani Sultanate. The Omani rulers encouraged the cultivation and export of spices, especially cloves, which were in high demand in Europe and Asia. Zanzibar became the world’s largest producer and exporter of cloves, earning the nickname of the Spice Island. The spice trade brought wealth and prosperity to Zanzibar, as well as cultural and religious diversity. The island attracted merchants, sailors, and settlers from different regions and backgrounds, such as Arabs, Persians, Indians, Africans, and Europeans. Zanzibar became a melting pot of cultures, languages, and religions, creating a unique and vibrant society.
Zanzibar also became involved in the vanilla trade, as it was one of the regions where the French introduced the vanilla plants and the artificial pollination method. Zanzibar started to grow and export vanilla in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, along with other spices and commodities, such as coconut, sugar, and sisal. Zanzibar’s vanilla was of high quality and flavor, and competed with other vanilla producers, such as Madagascar and Indonesia. Zanzibar’s vanilla trade, however, faced some challenges and declines in the 20th century, due to the political changes, the environmental issues, and the synthetic vanilla.
Zanzibar’s spice trade, including vanilla, has been revived and diversified in the 21st century, as the demand for spices is increasing worldwide. Zanzibar has been investing and innovating in the production and processing of spices, as well as promoting and differentiating its spices in the global market. Zanzibar has also been collaborating with other stakeholders, such as the government, the private sector, the civil society, and the consumers, to ensure the sustainability, quality, and profitability of its spices. Zanzibar’s spices, especially vanilla, have a great potential to grow and thrive in the 21st century, as they offer health, culinary, and cultural benefits to the world.
Vanilla orchids only bloom for a few hours once a year, and require a specific type of bee, the melipona, to pollinate them.
~ Blue SPICES ZANZIBAR