Handbook of Vanilla Science and Technology

An important reason for the appeal of vanilla might also arise from tolerance and, moreover, preference to vanilla flavor. There are many products in the flavor and fragrance field with low odor thresholds. Vanillin, a major component of vanilla, differs in a very important way. Most compounds with low odor thresholds including pyrazines, pyridines, thiols, various thiazoles, mercaptans, and thioesters, possess a very pungent and negative odor at high concentrations. Vanillin, by comparison, can be smelled and appreciated at extremely high levels and does not adversely impact the olfactory system. There are very few compounds that fall in this category. Finally, the flavor and aroma of vanilla or vanillin is perceived as very pleasant, and it seems people cannot get enough of it. Hence, complexity, low perception threshold, tolerance to vanilla flavor and aroma, even at high concentrations, and strong preference may have combined to create a universal fondness and craving for vanilla flavor.

Vanilla flavor is used extensively in food products, shown for example by the use of vanilla in non-carbonated and carbonated beverages (Tables 13.1 and 13.2). The universal popularity of vanilla is also indicated by its use in fragrances. About 50% of the over 10,000 fragrances make use of vanilla in some amount (Figure 13.1, also see Color Plate Section). Examples of the use of vanilla in oriental fragrances are given in Tables 13.3 and 13.4. The latter are often a combination of vanilla, balsamic resins such as olibanum (frankincense), balsam tolu, benzoin, and musks, which can be blended in an infinite number of ways. They have been described, not always correctly, as sweet, spicy, fruity, and animalic. The descriptor of “sweet” is a gustatory or taste description and does not directly apply to odor. In odor, the word “sweet” is used when there is an inability to attach a specific characterization, such as apple sweet, strawberry sweet, or caramel sweet. The term “sweet” for describing a fragrance property does not refer to a property of sugars or other artificial sweeteners, which do not give rise to odor. The “sweet” that people refer to in odor generally comes from association of the aroma and sugar. The odor of vanilla or vanillin that is mixed with other characters described as “sweet” stems from the association with the familiar sweetened and flavored products such as ice cream and cakes.

Fig. 13.1 Pie chart showing percentage of vanilla or vanilla notes in the 50% of fragrances that include a vanilla component. (For a color version, see Plate 13.1 in the Color Plate Section.)

Plate 13.1 Pie chart showing percentage of vanilla or vanilla notes in the 50% of fragrances that include a vanilla component.

Table 13.1 Examples of non-carbonated drinks containing vanilla

Product | Brand | Mfg. Company

Vanilla Frappucino | Starbucks | Pepsi

Strawberries & Cream Frappucino | Starbucks | Pepsi

Cream Liqueur | Starbucks | Jim Beam Brands

Super Protein Vanilla Al'mondo | Odwalla | Coca Cola

Soy Smart Chai Soy milk Shake | Odwalla | Coca Cola

Vanilla Shake | Slim Fast | Unilever

Homemade Creamy Vanilla Shake | Ensure | Abbott

Strawberries & Cream Shake | Ensure | Abbott

Nutripals Vanilla Drink | PediaSure | Abbott

Vanilla Drink Powder | Nesquik | Nestle

Vanilla Twist Vodka | Smirnoff | Diageo

Vanilla Vodka | Svedka | Spirits Marque One, LLC

Vanilla Vodka | Absolut | V&S Vin & Spirits AB

The Activator Smoothie - Vanilla | Smoothie King | Smoothie King

The Hulk Smoothie - Vanilla | Smoothie King | Smoothie King

Low Carb Vanilla Smoothie | Smoothie King | Smoothie King

The Shredder Smoothie - Orange Vanilla | Smoothie King | Smoothie King

Slim & Trim Smoothie - Vanilla | Smoothie King | Smoothie King

Slim & Trim Smoothie - Orange Vanilla | Smoothie King | Smoothie King

Coca Cola Black Cherry Vanilla Icee | Icee | J&J Snack Foods Corp.

Orange Dream Icee | Icee | J&J Snack Foods Corp.

Strawberry Creme Icee | Icee | J&J Snack Foods Corp.

Belgian Blends French Vanilla Latte | Godiva | Coca Cola

Vanilla Bean Coolata | Dunkin Donuts | Dunkin Brands

Tazo Chai Tea Latte | Tazo | Starbucks

Tazo Decaffeinated Chai Tea Latte | Tazo | Starbucks

Tazo Vanilla Tea Latte | Tazo | Starbucks

Enriched Vanilla Rice Milk | Rice Dream | Hain Celestial Group

Heartwise Vanilla Rice Milk | Rice Dream | Hain Celestial Group

Vanilla Rice Milk | Rice Dream | Hain Celestial Group

Vanilla Hazelnut Rice Milk | Rice Dream Supreme | Hain Celestial Group

Enriched Refrigerated Vanilla Rice Milk | Rice Dream | Hain Celestial Group

Classic Vanilla Soy Milk | Soy Dream | Hain Celestial Group

Enriched Vanilla Soy Milk | Soy Dream | Hain Celestial Group

Enriched Refrigerated Vanilla Soy Milk | Soy Dream | Hain Celestial Group

Honey Vanilla Chamomile Herbal Tea | Celestial Seasonings | Hain Celestial Group

Canadian Vanilla Maple Decaf Black Tea | Celestial Seasonings | Hain Celestial Group