CONDIMENTS 103 



over the ginger a second time. Proceed till the syrup has 

 throughly penetrated the ginger, which you may ascertain 

 by its taste and appearance. If the syrup, when hot, is 

 poured upon ginger it will shrink and shrivel. 



Vanilla 



{Vanilla planifolia, etc.) 



A native of tropical America, where it is found growing 

 wild in the shaded Avarm ravines of damp mountainous 

 forests. Fertilization is carried out naturally by insects 

 in its wild state, but under cultivation requires to be done 

 artificially. The plants are cultivated by placing the roots 

 on trees which have a soft bark, to which they cling and 

 absorb nourishment therefrom. 



The fruit is a long pod, which contains amongst its con- 

 stituents a volatile oil and a considerable quantity of benzoic 

 acid. A few ounces will flavour 1 cwt. of chocolate. 

 Gather when yellow, and after a slight fermentation lay 

 out in the sun to dry. When about half -dried, rub with 

 mahogany-nut oil ; and after again exposing to the sun, 

 apply more oil, and expose in the sun for several days till 

 properly dried. Bentley and Trimen say " the fruits (pods) 

 are collected before they are quite ripe, when their green 

 colour begins to disappear. They are then dried in the 

 shade, and afterwards covered with a coating of oil. 



