Vanilla & Cinnamon – Surprising Facts, Delicious Ideas, and Fragrant Moments

There are scents that instantly bring a smile to our faces. The aroma of freshly baked cinnamon buns, the delicate fragrance of real vanilla, or the spicy scent of cinnamon slowly simmering in a pot with apples. Yet behind these familiar aromas lie astonishing stories, fascinating differences, and quite a few surprises. During our Vanilla & Cinnamon Week, we want to show you just how versatile these two spices really are.

An Orchid That Gives Us One of the World's Most Precious Spices

Would you have thought that vanilla is actually the fruit of an orchid? The delicate blossoms of the vanilla plant normally open for only a single day. If they are not pollinated, they wither without producing fruit.

In Madagascar, one of the world's most important vanilla-growing regions, the blossoms are therefore mostly pollinated by hand. It is painstaking work that requires a great deal of experience and a delicate touch.

But that is far from the end of the process. After harvest, the still-green vanilla beans must be carefully processed for several months before they develop their distinctive aroma.

This also explains why real Bourbon vanilla is so much more valuable than artificially produced vanillin.

The Organic Bourbon Vanilla Beans from Madagascar are a wonderful example of how much aroma a single bean can contain. Anyone who has once cut open a fresh vanilla bean and scraped out the tiny black seeds knows how special this fragrance is.

And the best part: Even the scraped-out bean is far too good to throw away. Place it in a jar of sugar or let it steep in warm milk. This way, you can still make wonderful use of its aroma.

If you prefer to get straight to baking, you can opt for ground organic Bourbon vanilla. Just a little in cake batter, yogurt, or morning porridge already makes a noticeable difference.

Why Cinnamon Was Once Weighed Against Gold

Cinnamon was also once a precious commodity. For a long time, little was known in Europe about its true origin. Traders even told stories of giant birds that collected cinnamon sticks in their nests.

Today, that sounds quite fantastical. In fact, cinnamon comes from the inner bark of various cinnamon trees.

But did you know that not all cinnamon tastes the same?

Ceylon cinnamon has a particularly delicate, mild, and slightly sweet aroma. Its sticks consist of many paper-thin layers of bark that curl into each other as they dry. Anyone who prefers a delicate cinnamon flavor, for example in rice pudding or fine pastries, will particularly appreciate this variety.

Cassia cinnamon, on the other hand, is bolder, more intense, and slightly sharper. Its thicker cinnamon sticks are excellent for adding a spicy note to compotes, winter drinks, or preserved fruit.

And then there is Burmannii cinnamon, an Indonesian cinnamon with a warm, full-bodied aroma. It really shines in robustly spiced pastries.

During our themed week, you will find Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon both as sticks and ground, as well as ground Burmannii cinnamon bark. It is a wonderful opportunity to consciously compare the different aromas.

Another interesting difference: Ceylon cinnamon naturally contains significantly less coumarin than Cassia varieties. Anyone who uses cinnamon frequently and in larger quantities should therefore preferably choose Ceylon cinnamon.

Two Spices, Countless Possibilities

Vanilla and cinnamon are among the spices that complement each other wonderfully. The gentle sweetness of vanilla rounds off the bold spice of cinnamon.

This is particularly easy to try with a simple apple compote. Cut apples into small pieces, add some water, a Ceylon cinnamon stick, and a little Bourbon vanilla, and let everything simmer slowly. Even after a short time, a wonderful fragrance fills the kitchen.

But cinnamon does not always have to be sweet! In Moroccan cuisine, for example, it is used in savory stews. Pumpkin, carrots, or rice dishes can also be surprisingly well enhanced with it.

Anyone who loves unusual flavor combinations should try ginger candied with cinnamon sometime. Our spicy ginger slices combine a pleasant sweetness with the fiery heat of ginger and the spicy aroma of cinnamon.

And sometimes you don't need an elaborate recipe at all. A cup of coffee or tea, with a few crispy cinnamon cookies or a cinnamon bun from São Romão – and your little break is perfect.

When a Fragrance Evokes Memories

Have you ever noticed how quickly a particular fragrance brings back memories?

This is because our sense of smell is particularly closely linked to the areas of the brain that process emotions and memories.

Perhaps vanilla reminds you of homemade cake from your childhood. Or cinnamon of cozy afternoons when rain lashed against the windows outside.

This special connection explains why we love both aromas not only in food but also as home fragrances.

A vanilla scented candle, for example, creates a gentle, warm fragrance atmosphere, while our Apple & Cinnamon scented candle reminds you of freshly baked apple cake.

These fragrance combinations also reveal their special charm in personal care. The Vanilla & Amber gift set from Essências de Portugal combines a scented soap with a matching hand cream. Anyone who prefers spicier notes will find a lovely alternative with the “Magical Door” scented soap in the Ginger & Vanilla fragrance.

Thus, these familiar aromas accompany us far beyond the kitchen.

Cinnamon in a Flowerpot? Yes, It Really Exists!

To finish, we have one more little surprise for all our garden enthusiasts.

There really is a variety of basil whose aroma resembles cinnamon! So-called cinnamon basil combines the typical flavor of basil with a delicate, spicy cinnamon note.

Its leaves taste particularly interesting in fruity salads, homemade herbal teas, or unusual desserts.

With the Organic Cinnamon Basil Seeds, you can even grow this interesting variety yourself and use it fresh in the kitchen later.

Discover Vanilla and Cinnamon in a Whole New Way!

Whether as a precious spice, a special ingredient in sweet and savory recipes, or a pleasant fragrance for your home – vanilla and cinnamon have so much more to offer than you might expect at first glance.

Our Vanilla & Cinnamon Week is therefore an invitation to taste more closely, try something new, and perhaps even discover a new favorite fragrance.

We wish you lots of fun discovering, trying, and enjoying!