One of the first and best ways to help the environment is to go vegan. What you put in your body is not only critical to living a healthy life but can be critical to save the planet too. Let's have a look at vanilla seeds.
What is so special about vanilla seeds? I was appalled to read that some vanilla extracts are made from the anal secretions of beavers. I would therefore rather opt for the real thing if I have a recipe that calls for vanilla.
Vanilla comes from an orchid called Genus Vanilla, a vine-like plant that grows up trees. Vanilla pods are the fruit that grows on these plants. It is labour intensive to grow vanilla hence the hefty price tag, close to the price of the spice saffron. Real vanilla is therefore more expensive so that will be your first clue if you have the real deal on hand.
To get the seeds of the vanilla plant is fairly easy: cut into the bean with a sharp knife just below the curled top. Try not to slice through the bottom but only the top half of the bean. Pull the bean apart and use your knife to scrape out the vanilla. Easy as pie!
Not only does vanilla have wonderful flavour it also has some health benefits. Some of these benefits may include: the ability to treat acne, improve hair growth, speed healing, reduce inflammation, prevent chronic diseases, protect the heart, and much more. So bring on those vanilla lattes, cakes, syrups, tea and any other recipe you might be able to get a hold off!
**Saving the environment through what we eat series was written to inspire people to change their eating habits in order to save the environment and the world we live in from climate change. Eating more plant-based foods can stop deforestation, soil degradation and greenhouse gas emissions, help slow climate change and secure global food supply.
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