The Beggar Slave Who Enriched Europe or the History of Vanilla

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

In the modern world, vanilla is still one of the most expensive spices, but it is available to almost everyone. There were times when this spice was extremely rare and fabulously expensive. The homeland of these magic pods could not cope with the growing demand, the price grew exponentially. The spice was, in the truest sense of the word, royal. She is still very popular. Such an unusual, spicy, exquisite aroma, without which it is impossible to imagine any pastry, became public thanks to a poor slave boy named Edmond Albius.

A bit of history

Believe it or not, vanilla is actually a perennial vine. It is its fruits that are so widely used as an exquisite spice. The Spaniards brought this spice from Mexico.

Vanilla was first tasted by Christopher Columbus in 1502 on the territory of modern Nicaragua. The local ruler treated the Spaniard to a chocolate drink generously flavored with this spice. This was considered a great honor. This gesture cost the Aztecs dearly. The Spaniards demanded the payment of a vanilla tribute. This flavoring innovation made a splash in Europe! Vanilla has acquired royal status and the title of "divine nectar". It soon spread throughout the world.

Spice of Kings

Vanilla brought by the Spanish conquistadors was incredibly expensive. Only royalty could afford it.

In Russia, at the court of Elizabeth Petrovna, the court pharmacist came up with the idea of adding vanilla to baked goods. The queen, as you know, was distinguished by a craving for lavish festivities. The embezzlement of the treasury did not really bother her. Most people still agree that the smell of vanilla is the smell of childhood, home and a real holiday. So Elizaveta Petrovna fully appreciated the exotic spice.

Anna of Austria herself loved to drink hot chocolate with vanilla. The incomparable Marquise de Pompadour even added it to her soup. The court physician of King Philip II of Spain called vanilla a magical remedy. He believed that she heals flatulence, stomach pains, and can even save you from being bitten by a poisonous snake. The theory that vanilla relieves impotence was hugely popular.

The spice was in great demand. A ton of silver was paid for a ton of valuable spice. Sales were up, and profits and demand were up. We have tried many times to plant seedlings of this plant in the botanical gardens of Paris, London, and the East Indies. The liana itself took root, but its flowers did not turn into those magic pods without pollination.

The fact is that vanilla flowers could only be pollinated by bees of the subspecies Melibona. These insects were found only in Mexico. For a long time, this country remained an absolute monopoly on the vanilla market. No matter how many breeders tried to fertilize vanilla flowers by hand, nothing worked. No one could figure out where the pistil is, and where the stamen is, and how, in the end, the bees do it.

Vanilla "Marriage"

Everything suddenly changed in 1841. The Mexican monopoly was interrupted by one slave boy, Edmond Albius. He was born and raised on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. The boy was bought by the famous botanist Ferreol Bellier-Beaumont. One day a scientist was walking with his servant boy in his garden. Edmond was then twelve years old. Beaumont often talked to the boy and told him about plants.

The scientist explained to Edmond the concept of vanilla fertilization using the example of a watermelon. The little servant was smart and remembered everything. Examining the vanilla flowers, he drew attention to a certain partition, a rostellum. Edmond thought that most likely it was she who interfered with the fertilization of the flower. Having made simple manipulations with his hands, the boy self-pollinated the vanilla. Some time later, the amazed botanist host noticed the coveted pod on the vine. The method that the young slave invented was called Mariage de la vanille, which in French means “vanilla marriage”.

Vanilla revolution and injustice

The beggar boy did what the eminent scientist with professorial degrees failed to do. This simple method of pollinating vanilla has become standard practice. Albius's sophisticated manual technique is still in use today, continuing to generate huge profits. If the world were perfect and just, then Edmond would be an incredibly wealthy man. The teenager had to earn honor, respect and, of course, wealth. This did not happen. The man who changed history died free, but in poverty and disgrace in the same place where he was born.

Thanks to Mr. Albius, vanilla production has become possible not only in Mexico. In addition, it has become commercially viable. The smell of vanilla is familiar to everyone. The main world exporter of this exquisite spice today is the Republic of Madagascar.

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