One of the best kept secrets of ice-cream producers is that their most popular flavour, vanilla, derives its name from the Latin word vagina. For the ancient Romans, the word vagina meant sheath or scabbard, the protective casing from which a sword was drawn when danger threatened. This Latin vagina was adopted into Spanish as vaina, which subsequently developed a diminutive form, vainilla, meaning little sheath. The Spanish made this diminutive the name of the fragrant plant because its pods, from which vanilla flavouring is extracted, are indeed long and narrow like a miniature sheath. In the middle of the seventeenth century, English borrowed this word, vainilla, from Spanish, but changed the spelling to vanilla. At about the same time, English anatomists returned to the Latin they had learned as school boys and adopted the word vagina into English to refer to the “sheath” leading to a woman’s uterus. The introduction of this learned term allowed the older word cunt, which had a long history as a bona fide medical term, to degenerate into mere profanity.
Any one of a group of tropical orchids. The cured seed pods of Vanilla planifolia contain an aromatic substance, also called vanilla, that is used for flavoring.
Embark on a journey through the world of flavors with a remarkable essence derived from the seed pods of a climbing plant belonging to the orchid family. This exquisite creation is cultivated in tropical countries, including Mexico. The process begins with the fermentation of these pods, causing them to transform into a rich brown hue while becoming adorned with delicate crystals of vanillin. When seeking to purchase whole pods, it is advisable to ensure the presence of these precious crystals. Additionally, take note that the pods are not split for more than approximately one-third of their length, ensuring their quality and integrity. The resulting flavoring derived from these remarkable seed pods lends a touch of enchantment to culinary endeavors, adding a delightful depth and aroma to a variety of dishes.