A spice from vanilla orchid (Vanilla planifolia), vanilla is one of the most famous ingredients when it comes to baking. The flavor comes from the plant’s seeds located in the pods produced after pollination and has been a favorite addition since ancient times. Due to the high demands, scientists have been trying to mass-produce vanilla pods, and in 1841, it was discovered that vanilla orchids could be hand-pollinated. The most common forms of vanilla commercially available are vanilla bean paste, vanilla extract, vanilla powder. Some manufacture synthetic vanilla flavoring from vanillin and market it as a more affordable vanilla essence. Although vanilla is a cherished flavoring ingredient in its own right, it is also used to improve the flavor of other things, such as chocolate, caramel, custard, coffee, ice cream, and others, as they complement each other well.