90 SPICES 



CHAP. 



and use in flavouring, and also in perfumery, for which 

 it is much used. 



In order to obtain the perfume or essence | Ib. of vanilla 

 pods are cut up small, and put into 1 gallon of pure alcohol of 

 a strength known as 60 over-proof, giving the whole a shake- 

 up daily. The ingredients must remain together for four weeks, 

 at which time all that is worth extracting will be found in the 

 spirits, which may then be strained off quite clear and bright. 



It is then suitable as a flavouring agent, or, when blended 

 with other scents, makes delicious perfumery. These sold 

 under the names of Clematis, Heliotrope, Wallflower, etc. mostly 

 contain half in bulk of vanilla extract (Kew Bulletin, 1888, 

 p. 80). 



Vanillin is considered better than ordinary extract 

 of vanilla pods for manufacturing purposes, being soluble 

 in concentrated and diluted alcohol, water, especially 

 hot water, ether, glycerine, and petroleum jelly. 



In confectionery and chocolate factories, pure 

 crystallised vanillin is best used in the form of a 2|- per 

 cent vanilla sugar which, weight for weight, is equal in 

 aroma to the best vanilla. Vanilla sugar is made by 

 taking 6 drachms 1 3 grams of vanillin crystals, dissolv- 

 ing them in 4 fluid oz. of pure, odourless, absolute alcohol. 

 This is poured on 2 Ib. 2 oz. of the finest sugar and 

 mixed so as to be thoroughly distributed through it. 

 The alcohol is evaporated in a warm place, and the 

 sugar when dry is pounded in an earthenware mortar 

 and sifted. 



Vanilla sugar thus made is ready for use in con- 

 fectionery, etc., and will keep without losing its aroma 

 for an indefinite time. 



Vanillin crystals should be stored in well-stoppered 

 bottles, as by the exposure to a damp atmosphere it is 

 converted into vanillic acid, which is scentless. 



The aromatic resinous substances in the pods 

 preserve the vanillin from changing to vanillic acid to 

 a large extent, but it is always advisable to keep the 

 pods in well-stoppered glass jars. 1 



1 Sawer's Odorographia. 



