Australian Natural Health Magazine - Nourish

Commonly used for their flavour, vanilla pods are not really a spice but actually a fruit, as they grow on a vine. “Fresh vanilla beans have a sickly sweet scent,” Hamilton says. “However, they are actually quite flavourless and it is this strong scent which tricks the tastebuds and delivers the sweet ‘taste’ which is so popular.” How sneaky! As a result of this, vanilla is lovely added to sweet foods like baked goods and desserts. “Adding vanilla to foods reduces the amount of sugar required,” Hamilton says. She recommends using fresh vanilla pods where possible and warns against using engineered vanilla flavourings.