Can Babies Eat Vanilla?

Vanilla is a spice obtained from the pods of orchids from the Vanilla family. Vanilla was cultivated by the Aztecs. In order for the plant to produce the fruit, from which the vanilla is obtained, it must be pollinated. Charles Francois Antoine Morren, a Belgian botanist discovered this fact, but a 12 years old slave, Edmond Albius, discovered in 1841, that the plant can be successfully hand-pollinated. This discovery permitted the global cultivation of the plant.

One of the most popular vanilla type is the Bourbon vanilla or Madagascar vanilla, cultivated in Madagascar, on the islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean and in Indonesia, these places producing 2/3 of the world’s vanilla supply. It is the second-most expensive spice, after saffron, but it is heavily used in commercial and domestic baking, aromatherapy and also in the perfume industry.

There are four main commercial preparations of vanilla: whole pods, vanilla powder, vanilla extract and vanilla sugar. If natural vanilla is added to food, it turns the food into a brownish or yellowish color, and adds a strong and aromatic flavor. Most foods are flavored either with low-quality vanilla or with artificial vanilla-like flavorings, because real vanilla is too expensive. Vanilla is used in chocolate, caramel, coffee, custard, sweet baked goods, cookies and also in cakes.

Is Vanilla Extract Safe For Babies?

Vanilla is a safe spice for babies, until it is introduced into their diet in the amounts commonly found in foods. A few drops of vanilla extract can sweeten your baby’s formula, adding a new flavor to it. Vanilla extract rubbed onto the gum of your baby’s mouth, where the tooth is trying to get through can aid to alleviate the pain and can soothe your baby’s anxiety.

Another beneficial effect of vanilla is for upset tummies. Vanilla essence is a good alternative to sugar or salt in food, in order to flavor it and it is also filled with nutritional values. However, too much vanilla can cause skin irritation, headaches and insomnia.

Mango & Vanilla Puree

Ingredients: 500g frozen mango, ¼ tsp vanilla extract.

Put the frozen mango and the vanilla extract into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mangos are heated through and are tender. It should take approximately 4 minutes. Let them cool slightly, then transfer them into a blender and puree until soft. If you need to adjust the consistency of the puree, just add liquid from cooking.