桜

woke up and someone spilled vanilla extract all over my dash, so as punishment you strange little beasties are getting all the VANILLA FACTS i know:

vanilla is the 2nd most expensive spice in the world (2nd to saffron)

which is why more than 99% of what we call "vanilla extract" is actually vanillin (vanilla's dominant flavor compound) and is not extracted from real vanilla.

luckily, even professionals struggle to tell the difference when it comes to things like baked goods. but there is a distinct difference in non-heat treated products like vanilla ice cream. real vanilla has a more complex, individualized flavor profile.

why is vanilla so expensive? because it is a ridiculously delicate & demanding crop. complete primadonna.

vanilla beans come from vanilla orchids. these crazy flowers bloom for A SINGLE DAY and have to be HAND-POLLINATED in a process that is exhausting, delicate, and requires specialist knowledge passed down over generations.

then, if you're lucky, you get vanilla beans.

which then require months of further specialized treatment.

the entire process takes about a year and can go wrong at any stage

vanilla has been cultivated for over 800 years (possibly much longer). the first known cultivators are the Totonac, an indigenous people of Mexico.

the Aztecs used it as a sweetener to balance out the bitter taste of cocoa. it was popular in a drink called xocolatl--the precursor to modern hot chocolate!

it is only pollinated by a very specific orchid bee!!!

which is why no fruit could be grown outside of Mexico until the 1800s

Edmond Albius, born into slavery, invented the pollination method we still use today--launching a global industry when he was just 12 years old.

today, the majority of the world's vanilla is grown in Madagascar

if you want real vanilla, read the labels carefully--it's harder to find than you think!

in conclusion, those tiny black specks you see in fancy vanilla ice cream? those are vanilla bean seeds! itty bitty orchid seeds!!! they are delicious and also a PRISSY BITCH!

(src)

The book:

The movie:

                   ㅡ HAIKYUU!!

[x]

Okay but imagine Vincent just glitching all the time.

reblog your badge of honor fellow vanilla lovers

Things I’m dying to see in FFVIIR

Vincent being found by Avalanche

Vincent coming out of coffin

Vincent joining Avalanche

Vincent transforming

Vincent transforming

Vincent transforming

Vincent transforming

Vincent interacting with party members

Vincent interacting with the Turks

Vincent standing aloof

Vincent caring for others

Vincent shooting

Vincent jumping

Vincent rolling

Vincent casting spells

Vincent healing

Vincent on Tiny Bronco

Vincent on the train

Vincent in Gold Saucer

Vincent having flashbacks

Vincent as a Turk

Vincent being shot

Vincent being experimented on

Vincent meeting Lucrecia

Vincent meeting Hojo

Vincent meeting Sephiroth

Vincent being Vincent

Vincent

Every writer on Tumblr: “I would combust out of love if someone ever drew fanart of my fic!!” Me: “oh man I wanna draw this scene BUT THEY WOULD PROBABLY HATE IT AND HATE ME FOR THE NERVE”

“Slytherins are evil.”

*Aggressively shoves Horace Slughorn towards you* 

“Hufflepuffs are just weak-willed pansies.”

*Points at Cedric Diggory with a large pointing stick* 

“Ravenclaws are just a bunch of snobbish nerds.”

*Majestically reminds you of Luna Lovegood* 

“Gryffindors are just cocky arrogant bigheads.”

*Launches Remus Lupin in your general direction with a catapult* 

that’s my secret. all my OCs are me