I pulled aside the straw today from one larger plant that's staring to flower, and there were a couple of stolons starting to run. They got a slow start, but they're on their way. I planted the early potatoes that I'm growing for new ones along the edge of the bed so I can easily reach in and nab them.
Where does vanilla come from? A: Vanilla comes from the bean of a specific type of orchid. Of the 35,000 orchid species native to the rainforests of Central and South America, only the fruit of the vanilla orchid, whose scientific name is Vanilla planifolia, is actually edible. Continue Reading.
Q: What is the substitution of vanilla extract for beans? There isn't an easy answer to this question. According to Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc., the substitution of whole vanilla beans for vanilla extract is one bean equals approximately one tablespoon of extract. However, The Vanilla.COMpany says Â½ vanilla bean is the equivalent of 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, so the experts differ by 50%. I find that for custards and ice cream, one teaspoon of extract and about 2 Â½ inches of vanilla bean give the same strength of flavor. That said, the bean has a rounder, more subtle flavor than extract, especially in dishes where it is the star player, like classic french vanilla ice cream.