I have two black kittens, both sisters, and they were watching "Vanilla" with me and both got very excited at the appearance of the History Cat. So much so that they hopped up in front of the TV to try and investigate it further. A new excitement for them, as they otherwise enjoy watching cricket, following the ball with an unexpected interest!
As a pastry chef and chocolatier, I always make sure that my vanilla is 100% pure vanilla; I prefer Tahitian vanilla. So many people have no idea how complex the growing and propagation of vanilla really is. Excellent job on this video!
My grandmothers brother; Orville, was a horticulturist and his favorite pastime was orchids. He had several greenhouses that he used for cultivation. In the corner of one he had several Vanilla Planifolia, the flat leafed, most common variety for commercial vanilla production. He dreamed of building a large enough operation to cultivate for US based production. Never happened, but from his small greenhouse plants my grandmother used to make Vanilla ice cream with her "secret family recipe". I have never tasted anything "vanilla" that came close. My dad used to say Rum was also a "secret" ingredient. LOL Thanks for that fond memory!
@ Randall Parker You are very fortunate. I've the the experience of eating vanilla ice cream made from the real thing and most people have no idea how artificial the commercial "vanilla" really is. I was taught to make the most of vanilla beans by burying them in a closed crock of sugar . The flavored sugar could then be used.
I used to be a purchasing agent for food manufacturing and spent a lot of time purchasing pure vanilla extract. Interestingly, today, even though vanilla originated in Mexico most pure vanilla does not come from Mexico. The most (and the best) Pure Vanilla extract comes from Madagascar with smaller amounts grown in Indonesia and Tahiti. Also there are strong taste differences between each area that produces pure vanilla as, the soils and climate has a profound affect on the resulting taste.
@@jdinhuntsvilleal4514 I put up the post before I heard him include that as part of his story. And, I include information not a part of his story. Relax, you will live longer without all the stress.
Well, in a UA-cam channel dedicated to unlikely war stories, nuclear near misses and the births of legends, this was certainly not a... vanilla episode of THG.
In 1971 our family trip was camping two weeks thru Mexico. There my mom bought 4 vanilla beans which she wrapped up and kept in a jar using them for special occasions. I thought it was one of her german quirks, now I know it was truly a special treat she provided to us. Thanks for this bit of history.
When I was a youth , I had an unhealthy fascination with Posh Spice........ which cost my folks a fortune in Saffron. Also, Paul McCartney sings the "quite rightly" line.
Thank you for covering Vanilla. I went to a vanilla plantation on Hawaii and it was amazing. I minored in military history in my undergraduate years and I love history. Vanilla is exotic and if only more people knew how vanilla has changed the world, they would have more appreciation for it.
Great episode. Vanilla is my second favorite ice cream flavor, after strawberry. However, it is the standard by which I judge ice cream brands. If your vanilla offering is not good, you're just masking poor quality with flavoring in other cases.
An excellent book on the history and efforts it takes to make a simple meal is ‘Much Depends on Dinner’ by Margaret Visser. It is a study as to what goes into making supper for a small dinner party using simple ingredients and what it took historically to bring these foods to our tables. It looks into chicken, lemons, olive oil, vanilla, milk and a number of other foods that we take for granted. A fascinating and easy read, yet quite eye opening.
I noticed that too, very unlike the History Guy, his videos are generally very professionally done. Considering that some people don't seem to be noticing it I wonder if it's more apparent if you are watching with a good sound system instead of something like a phone or tablet.
Wow! Your last sentence about vanillin being added to rubber explains something that's fascinated me since I was a kid. In pet shops you find blue rubber bones for dogs to chew. The usually have a bell in one end. Their scent has been one of my favourite smells ever! I called the scent "blue dog rubber". Everytime I go into a pet shop I can smell that smell. Now I know why! It's vanillin! I love vanilla & now I know why I love blue dog rubber too! Thank you HG! Much appreciated!
Facts there, would love to see a video on citrus cultivation! It has pretty unique history in regards to U.S. Environmental History especially in states like California and Florida
@@rherman9085 Hey stop it, I am trying to watch the European scientist talk about the Mars landing and laughing this hard makes me lose my attention... or it is his voice.
The history guy, how about famous historical animals, famous ships cats, war dogs, war horses, and some of the ones who have been enlisted or promoted to ensure their survival and or return to home!!! Thanks for the inspiration 'The History Cat'
I never knew how complicated vanilla production was. I always use pure vanilla in all recipes, based on tastes. Artificial vanilla flavor (vanillin) sounds frightening after your description of what it is based on. Thanks for sharing your beautiful cat again. 🐈
Making vanilla extract is very simple (my great-great aunt "M", child 7 of 8, (born 1919) taught my grandmother how to make it, and we know that Aunt M learned from her mother "E" who was born in the 1870s. Just buy a large bottle (ours is 1.75L) of the cheapest vodka (or other flavorless alcohol) and some vanilla beans. Chop the beans (20-ish) up like carrot sticks, not too short, not too long and slice them lengthwise once, and let the bottle sit for a year (while you finish up the previous bottle) before you start to use it. It will look like molasses, but not thick. Just leave the beans in there and shake after every use (it will just get stronger and stronger) until your homemade extract nearly runs out, to a years-ish worth. One big bottle of hooch will literally have several years worth of legit vanilla extract, not the cheap fake stuff. You will even know where the beans came from. For us, (my parents and I) we are talking around 8-10 years worth of vanilla extract. The longer it sits the stronger it will be and when it starts to run out, you will have to use a spoon style coffee/tea strainer to remove the chopped vanilla beans/seeds, but that will be the strongest stuff. Just the cheap vodka is the same price as a couple of tiny bottles of the store-bought extract, so it will pay for itself pretty quick.
Chocolate. It is and has been resolved since before the creation of the universe and will remain so after its demise. There is a reason that chocoholic is a recognised word and vanillaholic is not.
Since almost all chocolate products also contain vanilla, the question is moot. Even plain vanilla ice cream tastes better with chocolate syrup or hot fudge on top. They go together like hamburgers and mustard or broccoli and cheese.
@@ltlbuddha And yet, vanilla remains the favorite ice cream flavor in the US, not to mention mine. Oh, and Mary Ann. Definitely. Excuse me, I have to run out and get some ice cream. I think I'll get butter pecan this time and avoid the controversy. This time.
A number of years ago I successfully nurtured a vine to flowering. And pollinated, grew and then cured the pods in my home in the San Francisco area. I made extract, and for my 60th birthday in 2013 a friend used it in my birthday cake!What a wonderful video! Thank you!
I've got to say Mr. History Guy, literally every single episode title of yours that pops up on my feed I want to jump up and pump my fist and exclaim, "Yes!!!! I'm not the only one who's heard of this and thinks it's cool!!!" Bravo.
Um, I just read about the history of castoreum (curiosity killed the beaver, as they say in... nowhere). And it’s... honestly kind of interesting...........
This certainly adds a new perspective. Makes me realise exactly why it's so expensive. I used to buy bulk vanilla beans to make my own extracts until it just got too darn expensive.
Delighted with your channel as usual fellow mid-westerner. I spend days enjoying your historical perspectives, my love for aviation history from my favorite aviation buff from the south and my favorite political analyst from the north. You three are amazing. You remind me how to smile.
HG posted this video 4 hours ago and it already has 14k views. I guess there are tons of other people that appreciate a good storyteller. Congrats on your UA-cam success, HG!
History Guy! Thanks so much for contributing. I am home,recovering from a stroke. I listen to you constantly,in hopes of learning to talk again. I may have suggested this idea prior (stroke,remember?) have you ever looked at the Sony point Disaster? Fascinating.
I DID enjoy this episode. It was quite informative. Its a real shame that Edmund Beaumont never received any financial compensation for his discovery. The world is a cruel place, and especially so when money is involved. We usually buy imitation vanilla, but occasionally I do splurge and get the real thing. I can certainly tell the difference. Thank you for a wonderful show!
I give homemade vanilla extract to the women in my family every year for Christmas. They mete it out all year long in their most special desserts and pastries. I start my process in early autumn to have it ready for gifting at Christmas. It's unbelievable how the price of whole, fresh vanilla bean pods has skyrocketed in the last 30 years, making it a valuable offering but I continue each year, knowing how much my family cooks cherish it.
Vanilla and strawberry are my favorite ice creams. There is so much history behind even the mundane things like vanilla. The star of the show the history cat shows himself once again!
Thank you for this history. My brother brought a jar of vanilla beans back from Mexico a few years ago. We loved taking a sniff from that jar for years, even after only specks remained.
@ The History Guy. This is possibly my favorite UA-cam channel, when the day has been rough and I need to escape politics this channel is pure and wholesome thank you.
Thanks for this history - I always look forward to what's coming next on your channel. The quality of your work is exceeded only by its variety! I saw vanilla growing in Sri Lanka a few years ago. I wish I new this background story before I went there!
Another delicious episode. As I usually frown 🤨 on flavoured whisky/whiskey, I will however recommend, the Canadian, 'J.P. Wisers Vanilla Whisky". It is smooth and balanced on the palate with a long finish, not overpowering with vanilla flavour or whisky. Just a well blended flavour from naturall ingredients. Thank you.
Thank you! I really love this one. It’s fascinating to learn the complicated history of such a seemingly little pleasure. Maybe now I won’t complain so much about the price of vanilla! 😋
I (who have never had Bourbon whisky) had always assumed that "Bourbon Vanilla" meant that Bourbon flavouring was in there somewhere. I learned something new today! Thanks! 🙂👍
Hey HG, love your content. I know how much you like doing aviation videos and I was thinking maybe you should cover SAS Flight 751? It's an amazing story with a happy ending showcasing even more amazing aviation skills but also sheds light on the metal strains pilots go through. Hope you consider it!
Excellent story! Absolutely love vanilla everything!!! Keep up the excellent work! Side note: the audio sounded a little odd at times throughout the video
As a Horticulturalist, I would love to hear a THG-spin on the history of certain ornamental species inparticular. Perhaps the Azalea, and its connection with Southern culture. Vanilla, Bananas, and Apples all changed the world and the palate, but what about the yards and decor of American and global yards? Maybe even a history of the yard/lawn in general. Where it comes from? Is the prevalence of the lawn in American culture from the English/Scottish nostalgia for the rolling green hills of Britain? Or is it from the French and English cleared-castle fields of early medieval military drilling? Much history here I believe, and I hope this intrigues you. Thank you.
Vanilla has always been a favourite of mine. My mother used to add it to plain yoghurt when I was a kid. She'd sweeten and flavour a whole tub and serve it to us as a treat or for dessert. Even though she put in about 3 or 4 big spoons of sugar in, it was way less sugary than the commercially-flavoured yogurts.
I always use Vanilla bean extract (not essence) in my biscuits and flapjacks. It's expensive and I use it liberally. No one has ever said these are not great tasting. I work by an old axiom, as in 'There's no such thing as too much cheese in a cheese sauce', and apply it everywhere. Baking is an expensive hobby for me. I now have a hankering to make dark chocolate cookies with orange flavouring. Can't eat them, though (my doctor won't allow) so I give them all away.
Many commercial users of real vanilla have well equipped analytical labs with spectrometers so sophisticated that they can determine where the pods were grown! (Candy makers paying for the best vanilla beans don't want the cheaper ones mixed in!) 🤓
I can remember back in the 1950's when Breyers ice cream was a quality brand the vanilla ice cream had black specks in it. We thought it was dirt and would not eat it. I always look at the ingredient label and appears everything now made with artificial vanilla.
I've always believed that vanilla ice cream produced during the 70s was the reason that vanilla became synonymous with the word "bland." The first half of the decade was mired in inflation and everyone was 'freaking out' over the prices of virtually everything. We were all introduced the term "generic," and had to deal with cut-rate versions of many products, such as vanilla ice cream. A lot of which was so flavorless, I often referred to it as 'white' ice cream.
Mr History Guy! I have some constructive feedback! I've been a super huge fan and long time watcher of your show. Something wasn't quite right with this video's audio. Every time there was a jump from video clips back to your office for narration the volume changed, and sometimes got a lot louder. Please make sure your post-production levels out the audio when changing clips. Otherwise, great show and keep showing us the history we should remember!
In the late 70s, I visited Trinidad and Tobago. In a small food store, our group found vanilla extract for sale. We told the locals with us about our use of it in food. They thought this strange, as they used the vanilla as a perfume.
Another great video. I think I've only had it in Sweets. It's weird, I was thinking about Vanilla about a year ago, as a flavor and how much I loved it but how little I liked V Ice Cream. So= I went out and bought a pint at Trader Joes= I was blown away. After that I pretty much Just bought from them but tried a few others and this is what I discovered= Cheap vanilla ice cream= isn't very good. They don't put hardly any of it in the ice cream and I think that is what has led to the use of Vanilla for something that is bland or ordinary. I only buy Trader Joes Vanilla and though I buy B&J's regularly- half of all I eat is TJ's and only their Vanilla- it's the best.
You may know this, but in the flavor spectrum, Vanilla possess the singular roll of flavor enhancer. The Chocolate and Strawberry people know that if they want their product to taste more like Chocolate or Strawberry, they add Vanilla - just a small drop.
History Cat reminds me a lot of my late great ‘Tiberius’ Never will I meet again such a moody, cantankerous, demanding, obstinate, everything-on-my-terms creature. ‘Bibbs’ would spend much of his time dreaming up new ways to annoy me. He’d demand to have doors opened, rather than suffer the indignity of cat flaps. Would awaken me at 4am to tell me he wasn’t really hungry, but could probably manage a light snack. Tiberius had an infuriating ability to take up an entire bed, leaving me scrunched up on the edge. He’d run up and down the stairs JUST to keep me awake. He was a nightmare. And lived to be twenty years old. He died two years ago. And I miss him every day. ‘Tiberius Maximus’ deserves to be remembered
As someone who has, as a necessity, used "vanilla" as a way to denote a more tame, and unadventurous approach to sexuality, I am also, as are many in the BDSM community, a foodie and devotee of flavors (among other things)... Never once did I think Less of Vanilla both as a flavor, ingredient, or as an approach to sex and sexuality... just a different flavor or approach... Some like one pure note... Some like a more complex mix of notes... I just like... LOVE history... among other things... but best of all is someone who can present all this well... Thank you. P.S.: I love the resistant cat! but you look thin.. John Norman... I wish You Well.
Another great episode. There seems to be a very noticeable difference between the volume of you speaking to the camera and you speaking over footage. I have not noticed this in other videos, perhaps a change of set up has caused it? P.S. I liked the post credit cat scene :-D
A couple of years ago I found a sampler with vanilla ice cream with flavors from Mexico, Tahiti, and Madagaskar. That's when I realized "plain" vanilla isn't a blanket statement. OOOhh Vanilla Blankets....yum!
As per your suggestion, I would like to recommend the "Philippine insurrection" as a topic for The History Guy to cover. My grandfather gained his American citizenship after volunteering to fight with the United States during the Second World War. He often spoke to us grandchildren about the cruelties his family endured during the hostilities of the "Insurrection". Thank you, Sir, for all your excellent work!
I think Vanilla Planifolia is an amazing plant. I'm commenting PRIOR to watching, but since your content reliably gives best possible historical context, I have already !liked this one.
Having watched this, my initial assessment was correct. The fascinating history of this finicky, beautiful, yet diva orchid and the people who love her is well researched here. 💜💜
I was almost sure he was going to say something like...."in fact...vanilla has become so ubiquitous that even hip-hop rappers and kittykats - are named after it." Thanks History Guy!
Thank you. Driving around the other day, I saw a rather large water tower. Made me wonder if there were any significant events or history that made them so ubiquitous.
What an educational episode. I always thought it came from the vanilla bean. It came from the vanilla fruit that looks like a bean. Thanks Bob PS. Nice cat.
Can you please make a video on the history of onions? I'm very curious how someone found an onion and decided to eat it! Please and thank you for all your videos, We love them!! ❤️😊
That hideous price jump is exactly why I’m making my own. Have 1 batch which is now a few days shy of being 11 weeks old. Have 2 glass containers and the bourbon (you can use vodka, rum or several other liquors depending on the results you’ve looking for) and will be ordering the vanilla beans very soon. Amazon, of course, is a good source but there are others out there who sell bulk beans. The initial outlay is a bit pricey but once you’ve brought one batch to maturity all you need to do is purchase a bottle of booze. The beans can be used over and over again. TV cooking personality Ina Garten says she’s been making her own vanilla for years and the beans she has are approximately 25 years old. I read somewhere else that she reported 35. Naturally she has supplemented her original batch but you can tell by the “erosion” of some of them that they probably have been around for a while. The longer you allow your vanilla to steep the better the flavor. Some have said they don’t touch theirs at less than 2 years. I’m hoping to decant mine by the end of April. Great video History Guy. I shared it with my sister in law which is who I’m also sharing my vanilla.
My wife has the real thing. I went with her to purchase the Vanilla extract once. She never complains about the cost of my cigars anymore. Two hundred dollars a bottle.
Just learned that the University of Florida Ag school has developed a vanilla which can be grown in Florida. When I can get my hands on some, I'll grow it on my oak tree.
Perhaps you could look into the Old Man of the Mountain in Franconia Notch New Hampshire, and Mount Washington, home of the world's worst weather. I think you might find some interesting things there do a piece about.
@@bepbep7418 My favourite place in the world. You should visit around Columbus Day, that's when colors are at their peak, the weather at the base station is very temperate, and the weather at the Summit is very wintry. 😺
@@HM2SGT I live here in Southern Maine, I see all the leaves I want in the fall 😂. If you like to hike, I suggest going even further north to Mt. Katahdin. (My favorite place in the world is Chimney Pond, which is ON the mountain. So it's a little bit of a hike, but well worth it when you get there.)
We got vanilla, chocolate, and corn from Mexico. We often think of pre-Columbian Mexico as primitive. I think we need to re-think that belief. It would be interesting to explore the histories of each one of these things and thank the original people of Mexico for what they have given us.
Vanilla, Tomatoes, and all plants you claim as Mexican are not mexican. They are from nature. Mexico was not before those things were brought up by bees and nature pollination. Those foods were found by, NOT INVENTED BY. DUHH !!! Peruvians didnt invent Potatoes, And Italians neither invented Noodles. Its all Bullshit. Did USA invent corn? We dont claim that. WE DONT BULLSHIT LIKE YOU DO.
My favorite flavor is vanilla .. the real vanilla. I keep a vanilla bean in my sugar, I keep a vanilla been in vodka. I LOVE VANILLA! Thank you for this .
The important thing about vanilla is it's ability to combine with and improve other flavors. Almost all sweet and many savory dishes contain some vanilla.
I have two black kittens, both sisters, and they were watching "Vanilla" with me and both got very excited at the appearance of the History Cat. So much so that they hopped up in front of the TV to try and investigate it further.
A new excitement for them, as they otherwise enjoy watching cricket, following the ball with an unexpected interest!
As a pastry chef and chocolatier, I always make sure that my vanilla is 100% pure vanilla; I prefer Tahitian vanilla. So many people have no idea how complex the growing and propagation of vanilla really is. Excellent job on this video!
My grandmothers brother; Orville, was a horticulturist and his favorite pastime was orchids. He had several greenhouses that he used for cultivation. In the corner of one he had several Vanilla Planifolia, the flat leafed, most common variety for commercial vanilla production. He dreamed of building a large enough operation to cultivate for US based production. Never happened, but from his small greenhouse plants my grandmother used to make Vanilla ice cream with her "secret family recipe". I have never tasted anything "vanilla" that came close. My dad used to say Rum was also a "secret" ingredient. LOL Thanks for that fond memory!
@ Randall Parker You are very fortunate. I've the the experience of eating vanilla ice cream made from the real thing and most people have no idea how artificial the commercial "vanilla" really is. I was taught to make the most of vanilla beans by burying them in a closed crock of sugar . The flavored sugar could then be used.
Yum!
Vanilla and rum are ingredients in several desserts. It mixes well.
As a Pastry Chef, I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my Vanilla loving heart for this episode.
I used to be a purchasing agent for food manufacturing and spent a lot of time purchasing pure vanilla extract. Interestingly, today, even though vanilla originated in Mexico most pure vanilla does not come from Mexico. The most (and the best) Pure Vanilla extract comes from Madagascar with smaller amounts grown in Indonesia and Tahiti. Also there are strong taste differences between each area that produces pure vanilla as, the soils and climate has a profound affect on the resulting taste.
My wife says she is only interested in Madagascar vanilla. She makes good stuff with it, so who am I to argue?
We in Canada prefer the beaver butt stuff.
@@davidaustin6962 Beavers have nice flavor.
"The most (and the best) Pure Vanilla extract comes from Madagascar "
Gee, if only THG had mentioned that. 9-9
@@jdinhuntsvilleal4514 I put up the post before I heard him include that as part of his story. And, I include information not a part of his story. Relax, you will live longer without all the stress.
I hate how ubiquitous vanilla has become that people no longer appreciate how exquisite it is
Well, in a UA-cam channel dedicated to unlikely war stories, nuclear near misses and the births of legends, this was certainly not a... vanilla episode of THG.
Da history dude.... Spicing things up since 1964
@@derrekvanee4567 😂
@@TheManFromFUNCLE
...what?
haha! Check out the one on sliced bread, yup The History Guy made sliced bread interesting too.
@@TheManFromFUNCLE He was applauding THG, not knocking him. Read the comment again.
In 1971 our family trip was camping two weeks thru Mexico. There my mom bought 4 vanilla beans which she wrapped up and kept in a jar using them for special occasions. I thought it was one of her german quirks, now I know it was truly a special treat she provided to us. Thanks for this bit of history.
Would love to learn the history of Saffron.
"I'm just wild about Saffron and Saffron is wild about me." Mr. J, does this jog a memory? THANKS!
@@scottkoenig6326 I was going to post the same Donovan line
Hah! That is the song I sing to my daughter at bed time, but I change the words. No joke :)
@@dennis8196 Thank you, D.S. That means we both are 50 or better, right?
When I was a youth , I had an unhealthy fascination with Posh Spice........
which cost my folks a fortune in Saffron.
Also, Paul McCartney sings the "quite rightly" line.
History cat loves making a cameo appearance .
Not so much in this one it seemed.
Obviously it deserves pets!
Cat-meow = Cameo?
I've seen him in a coupe of the recent videos. Needs to get his celebrity on, I guess.
Would've made more sense if it was a beaver ... "It's anything butt" (8:48)
Thank you for covering Vanilla. I went to a vanilla plantation on Hawaii and it was amazing. I minored in military history in my undergraduate years and I love history. Vanilla is exotic and if only more people knew how vanilla has changed the world, they would have more appreciation for it.
Typical History Guy - History with human interest. Wonderful, as always.
Great episode. Vanilla is my second favorite ice cream flavor, after strawberry. However, it is the standard by which I judge ice cream brands. If your vanilla offering is not good, you're just masking poor quality with flavoring in other cases.
Being a farmer's son I personally love the episodes about food, agriculture, and weather.
Thank you, History Guy! As a baker, I'm very respectful of the value of vanilla!
An excellent book on the history and efforts it takes to make a simple meal is ‘Much Depends on Dinner’ by Margaret Visser. It is a study as to what goes into making supper for a small dinner party using simple ingredients and what it took historically to bring these foods to our tables. It looks into chicken, lemons, olive oil, vanilla, milk and a number of other foods that we take for granted. A fascinating and easy read, yet quite eye opening.
I've had vanilla ice cream with vanilla seeds only once, and that stuff was delicious.
Why didn’t you keep eating it? I eat it fairly often.
Do a history on catnip, love to see how the cat responds
@MrPitjoey Second.
@@bat2293
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@@bat2293
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@@bat2293
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@@bat2293
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Need to check your volume leveling there History Guy.
I get an average of -6 dbi with a peak of -2dbi. What do. You read sir hears a lot?
Yeah, a bit variable today for some reason..... 😐
Did you hire Simon's audio engineer?
I noticed that too, very unlike the History Guy, his videos are generally very professionally done. Considering that some people don't seem to be noticing it I wonder if it's more apparent if you are watching with a good sound system instead of something like a phone or tablet.
Wow! Your last sentence about vanillin being added to rubber explains something that's fascinated me since I was a kid.
In pet shops you find blue rubber bones for dogs to chew. The usually have a bell in one end.
Their scent has been one of my favourite smells ever! I called the scent "blue dog rubber".
Everytime I go into a pet shop I can smell that smell.
Now I know why! It's vanillin! I love vanilla & now I know why I love blue dog rubber too!
Thank you HG! Much appreciated!
The history of citrus cultivation is more interesting than most people know.
Or bananas, on which HG did a video.
I wish we could once again have white grapefruits. The ruby reds and pomelo juices and fruits are just not the same.
Facts there, would love to see a video on citrus cultivation! It has pretty unique history in regards to U.S. Environmental History especially in states like California and Florida
@@GregKrynen That's just racist......
@@rherman9085 Hey stop it, I am trying to watch the European scientist talk about the Mars landing and laughing this hard makes me lose my attention... or it is his voice.
Just what I needed, plain vanilla history.
Always glad to see The History Cat in videos; Most people don't know that Dr. John S. Pemberton, inventor of Coca-Cola, died in poverty.
Thank you, Lady. I did not know that.
Because of a cocaine addiction? Surely, it didn't only go into the drink.
The history guy, how about famous historical animals, famous ships cats, war dogs, war horses, and some of the ones who have been enlisted or promoted to ensure their survival and or return to home!!!
Thanks for the inspiration 'The History Cat'
@@lightdark00 And, that previous generation were often Opium eaters. That's OK, Prohibition was right around the corner. Look at us now. THANKS!
@@Craig-wp3pz I would recommend you watch THG episode about Sgt Reckless USMC !
I never knew how complicated vanilla production was. I always use pure vanilla in all recipes, based on tastes. Artificial vanilla flavor (vanillin) sounds frightening after your description of what it is based on.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful cat again. 🐈
Making vanilla extract is very simple (my great-great aunt "M", child 7 of 8, (born 1919) taught my grandmother how to make it, and we know that Aunt M learned from her mother "E" who was born in the 1870s. Just buy a large bottle (ours is 1.75L) of the cheapest vodka (or other flavorless alcohol) and some vanilla beans. Chop the beans (20-ish) up like carrot sticks, not too short, not too long and slice them lengthwise once, and let the bottle sit for a year (while you finish up the previous bottle) before you start to use it. It will look like molasses, but not thick. Just leave the beans in there and shake after every use (it will just get stronger and stronger) until your homemade extract nearly runs out, to a years-ish worth. One big bottle of hooch will literally have several years worth of legit vanilla extract, not the cheap fake stuff. You will even know where the beans came from. For us, (my parents and I) we are talking around 8-10 years worth of vanilla extract. The longer it sits the stronger it will be and when it starts to run out, you will have to use a spoon style coffee/tea strainer to remove the chopped vanilla beans/seeds, but that will be the strongest stuff. Just the cheap vodka is the same price as a couple of tiny bottles of the store-bought extract, so it will pay for itself pretty quick.
@@rosameryrojas-delcerro1059
Thank you for sharing your recipe 😊
Chocolate vs Vanilla, Mary Ann vs. Ginger. Some things we'll never resolve, but we are a winner in either case.
Chocolate or Vanilla? BOTH!
Chocolate. It is and has been resolved since before the creation of the universe and will remain so after its demise.
There is a reason that chocoholic is a recognised word and vanillaholic is not.
Since almost all chocolate products also contain vanilla, the question is moot. Even plain vanilla ice cream tastes better with chocolate syrup or hot fudge on top. They go together like hamburgers and mustard or broccoli and cheese.
@@ltlbuddha And yet, vanilla remains the favorite ice cream flavor in the US, not to mention mine. Oh, and Mary Ann. Definitely.
Excuse me, I have to run out and get some ice cream. I think I'll get butter pecan this time and avoid the controversy. This time.
Strawberry begs to differ, and there will always be some "Neapolitan" to complicate the issue, ell-oh-ell.
A number of years ago I successfully nurtured a vine to flowering. And pollinated, grew and then cured the pods in my home in the San Francisco area. I made extract, and for my 60th birthday in 2013 a friend used it in my birthday cake!What a wonderful video! Thank you!
I've got to say Mr. History Guy, literally every single episode title of yours that pops up on my feed I want to jump up and pump my fist and exclaim, "Yes!!!! I'm not the only one who's heard of this and thinks it's cool!!!" Bravo.
Even cats love history. Ours are are watching too.
Your seals need to work on their arc arcs
I must say, I love the episodes where THG's cat makes an appearance just little bit more than the average.
“Hey, this beaver’s butt tastes like vanilla!” Could it be that the discovery of castoreum is history *NOT* worth remembering???
Why would you even be looking there?
Um, I just read about the history of castoreum (curiosity killed the beaver, as they say in... nowhere). And it’s... honestly kind of interesting...........
Would it be out of line to say that certain desserts do, in fact, taste like ass?
@@DWilliam1 Whenever I hear information like this, it makes me wonder just how the discovery was made.
@@onliwankannoli I didn’t mean you, I meant the people who discovered it. Should have worded my response better.
This certainly adds a new perspective. Makes me realise exactly why it's so expensive. I used to buy bulk vanilla beans to make my own extracts until it just got too darn expensive.
you always blow my mind wide open History Guy. still one of the very best channels on any platform.
Delighted with your channel as usual fellow mid-westerner. I spend days enjoying your historical perspectives, my love for aviation history from my favorite aviation buff from the south and my favorite political analyst from the north. You three are amazing. You remind me how to smile.
HG posted this video 4 hours ago and it already has 14k views. I guess there are tons of other people that appreciate a good storyteller. Congrats on your UA-cam success, HG!
History Guy! Thanks so much for contributing. I am home,recovering from a stroke. I listen to you constantly,in hopes of learning to talk again. I may have suggested this idea prior (stroke,remember?) have you ever looked at the Sony point Disaster? Fascinating.
Another cameo visit from History Cat! And I didn't think that I could enjoy The History Guy more! Thanks for the informative episode, History Guy!
I DID enjoy this episode. It was quite informative. Its a real shame that Edmund Beaumont never received any financial compensation for his discovery. The world is a cruel place, and especially so when money is involved. We usually buy imitation vanilla, but occasionally I do splurge and get the real thing. I can certainly tell the difference. Thank you for a wonderful show!
I give homemade vanilla extract to the women in my family every year for Christmas. They mete it out all year long in their most special desserts and pastries. I start my process in early autumn to have it ready for gifting at Christmas. It's unbelievable how the price of whole, fresh vanilla bean pods has skyrocketed in the last 30 years, making it a valuable offering but I continue each year, knowing how much my family cooks cherish it.
Vanilla and strawberry are my favorite ice creams. There is so much history behind even the mundane things like vanilla. The star of the show the history cat shows himself once again!
Cats have the most priceless expressions on their face. This one is "I just have to wait a bit longer and he WILL let me down."
Thank you for this history. My brother brought a jar of vanilla beans back from Mexico a few years ago. We loved taking a sniff from that jar for years, even after only specks remained.
Did you put the beans in vodka or Everclear to make your own vanilla extract....? 🤔
@@gus473 IIRC, we used clear rum, but yes.
I absolutely adore the flavour of vanilla! I’ve never understood why it came to be synonymous with ‘bland’ or ‘anodyne’ or some-such.
Thanks!
Thank you!
@ The History Guy.
This is possibly my favorite UA-cam channel, when the day has been rough and I need to escape politics this channel is pure and wholesome thank you.
Thanks for this history - I always look forward to what's coming next on your channel. The quality of your work is exceeded only by its variety! I saw vanilla growing in Sri Lanka a few years ago. I wish I new this background story before I went there!
Another delicious episode. As I usually frown 🤨 on flavoured whisky/whiskey, I will however recommend, the Canadian, 'J.P. Wisers Vanilla Whisky". It is smooth and balanced on the palate with a long finish, not overpowering with vanilla flavour or whisky. Just a well blended flavour from naturall ingredients. Thank you.
Another great video on a subject that i would have never thought interesting. This is why this is the best history channel on youtube...
Thank you! I really love this one. It’s fascinating to learn the complicated history of such a seemingly little pleasure. Maybe now I won’t complain so much about the price of vanilla! 😋
The History Guy should do a collaboration with Townsends on the history of Nutmeg!
Too funny
I (who have never had Bourbon whisky) had always assumed that "Bourbon Vanilla" meant that Bourbon flavouring was in there somewhere. I learned something new today! Thanks! 🙂👍
History Kitty looks especially cuddly today.
Hey HG, love your content. I know how much you like doing aviation videos and I was thinking maybe you should cover SAS Flight 751? It's an amazing story with a happy ending showcasing even more amazing aviation skills but also sheds light on the metal strains pilots go through. Hope you consider it!
Great video on Vanilla !! But the audio is different from the previous few video....
Another fun and insightful video... although it seemed like the normal good quality of audio mixing and levels was a bit off on this one.
Who else thought the History Guy was going to tie vanilla and cats in his close?
I hadn't thought of that but I can see how one could think that. Stay safe.
History cat seemed disappointed that the lecture was about vanilla, rather than catnip.
Reunion Island does have a rat infestation problem. Sounds like cats to need to save vanilla.
Cat says: "Forget about vanilla! PET MEEE!"
@@chuckwilliams6261 Ah, catnip, Nepeta Cataria and Nepeta Mussinii.
Excellent story! Absolutely love vanilla everything!!!
Keep up the excellent work!
Side note: the audio sounded a little odd at times throughout the video
As a Horticulturalist, I would love to hear a THG-spin on the history of certain ornamental species inparticular. Perhaps the Azalea, and its connection with Southern culture. Vanilla, Bananas, and Apples all changed the world and the palate, but what about the yards and decor of American and global yards?
Maybe even a history of the yard/lawn in general. Where it comes from? Is the prevalence of the lawn in American culture from the English/Scottish nostalgia for the rolling green hills of Britain? Or is it from the French and English cleared-castle fields of early medieval military drilling?
Much history here I believe, and I hope this intrigues you. Thank you.
Vanilla has always been a favourite of mine. My mother used to add it to plain yoghurt when I was a kid. She'd sweeten and flavour a whole tub and serve it to us as a treat or for dessert. Even though she put in about 3 or 4 big spoons of sugar in, it was way less sugary than the commercially-flavoured yogurts.
The history of Vanilla DESSERTS to be remembered. 😁
Lol I wasn’t expecting this level of detail. Great stuff.
Now that was edifying and refreshing. Smelling a shipload of vanilla beans arriving at port must have been quite a rush! 🌱,🌞🌱
I always use Vanilla bean extract (not essence) in my biscuits and flapjacks. It's expensive and I use it liberally.
No one has ever said these are not great tasting.
I work by an old axiom, as in 'There's no such thing as too much cheese in a cheese sauce', and apply it everywhere.
Baking is an expensive hobby for me. I now have a hankering to make dark chocolate cookies with orange flavouring. Can't eat them, though (my doctor won't allow) so I give them all away.
I use it in my pancake and French toast batter. Only the real thing. No essence of beaver butt.
Your esoteric teaching of history is amazing
Many commercial users of real vanilla have well equipped analytical labs with spectrometers so sophisticated that they can determine where the pods were grown! (Candy makers paying for the best vanilla beans don't want the cheaper ones mixed in!) 🤓
A true vanillin observation
I can remember back in the 1950's when Breyers ice cream was a quality brand the vanilla ice cream had black specks in it. We thought it was dirt and would not eat it. I always look at the ingredient label and appears everything now made with artificial vanilla.
I've always believed that vanilla ice cream produced during the 70s was the reason that vanilla became synonymous with the word "bland." The first half of the decade was mired in inflation and everyone was 'freaking out' over the prices of virtually everything. We were all introduced the term "generic," and had to deal with cut-rate versions of many products, such as vanilla ice cream. A lot of which was so flavorless, I often referred to it as 'white' ice cream.
Mr History Guy! I have some constructive feedback! I've been a super huge fan and long time watcher of your show. Something wasn't quite right with this video's audio. Every time there was a jump from video clips back to your office for narration the volume changed, and sometimes got a lot louder. Please make sure your post-production levels out the audio when changing clips.
Otherwise, great show and keep showing us the history we should remember!
I wouldn’t want to live in a world without vanilla.
In the late 70s, I visited Trinidad and Tobago. In a small food store, our group found vanilla extract for sale. We told the locals with us about our use of it in food. They thought this strange, as they used the vanilla as a perfume.
Another great video. I think I've only had it in Sweets. It's weird, I was thinking about Vanilla about a year ago, as a flavor and how much I loved it but how little I liked V Ice Cream. So= I went out and bought a pint at Trader Joes= I was blown away. After that I pretty much Just bought from them but tried a few others and this is what I discovered= Cheap vanilla ice cream= isn't very good. They don't put hardly any of it in the ice cream and I think that is what has led to the use of Vanilla for something that is bland or ordinary. I only buy Trader Joes Vanilla and though I buy B&J's regularly- half of all I eat is TJ's and only their Vanilla- it's the best.
A crossover between this channel and tasting history would be so fun
You may know this, but in the flavor spectrum, Vanilla possess the singular roll of flavor enhancer. The Chocolate and Strawberry people know that if they want their product to taste more like Chocolate or Strawberry, they add Vanilla - just a small drop.
History cat says “The heck with vanilla! Let’s hear the history of tuna!”
Great episode! Thanks.👍👍
Wow, thank you for posting. Learned something new today. Appreciate your work.
History Cat reminds me a lot of my late great ‘Tiberius’ Never will I meet again such a moody, cantankerous, demanding, obstinate, everything-on-my-terms creature. ‘Bibbs’ would spend much of his time dreaming up new ways to annoy me. He’d demand to have doors opened, rather than suffer the indignity of cat flaps. Would awaken me at 4am to tell me he wasn’t really hungry, but could probably manage a light snack. Tiberius had an infuriating ability to take up an entire bed, leaving me scrunched up on the edge. He’d run up and down the stairs JUST to keep me awake. He was a nightmare. And lived to be twenty years old. He died two years ago. And I miss him every day.
‘Tiberius Maximus’ deserves to be remembered
As someone who has, as a necessity, used "vanilla" as a way to denote a more tame, and unadventurous approach to sexuality, I am also, as are many in the BDSM community, a foodie and devotee of flavors (among other things)...
Never once did I think Less of Vanilla both as a flavor, ingredient, or as an approach to sex and sexuality... just a different flavor or approach...
Some like one pure note...
Some like a more complex mix of notes...
I just like... LOVE history... among other things... but best of all is someone who can present all this well...
Thank you.
P.S.: I love the resistant cat!
but you look thin..
John Norman... I wish You Well.
Enjoyed this episode. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
At several points in the video, the sound level suddenly changes. Might want to re-engineer with a more constant sound level. Thanks.
Another great episode. There seems to be a very noticeable difference between the volume of you speaking to the camera and you speaking over footage. I have not noticed this in other videos, perhaps a change of set up has caused it?
P.S. I liked the post credit cat scene :-D
A couple of years ago I found a sampler with vanilla ice cream with flavors from Mexico, Tahiti, and Madagaskar. That's when I realized "plain" vanilla isn't a blanket statement. OOOhh Vanilla Blankets....yum!
As per your suggestion, I would like to recommend the "Philippine insurrection" as a topic for The History Guy to cover. My grandfather gained his American citizenship after volunteering to fight with the United States during the Second World War. He often spoke to us grandchildren about the cruelties his family endured during the hostilities of the "Insurrection". Thank you, Sir, for all your excellent work!
I think Vanilla Planifolia is an amazing plant. I'm commenting PRIOR to watching, but since your content reliably gives best possible historical context, I have already !liked this one.
Having watched this, my initial assessment was correct. The fascinating history of this finicky, beautiful, yet diva orchid and the people who love her is well researched here. 💜💜
I was almost sure he was going to say something like...."in fact...vanilla has become so ubiquitous that even hip-hop rappers and kittykats - are named after it." Thanks History Guy!
Thank you. Driving around the other day, I saw a rather large water tower. Made me wonder if there were any significant events or history that made them so ubiquitous.
Now I understand why vanilla is so expensive. Thank you History Guy
What an educational episode. I always thought it came from the vanilla bean. It came from the vanilla fruit that looks like a bean.
Thanks
Bob
PS. Nice cat.
What is the history of how you got the cat? That is history that deserves to be remembered.
Can you please make a video on the history of onions? I'm very curious how someone found an onion and decided to eat it! Please and thank you for all your videos, We love them!! ❤️😊
That hideous price jump is exactly why I’m making my own. Have 1 batch which is now a few days shy of being 11 weeks old. Have 2 glass containers and the bourbon (you can use vodka, rum or several other liquors depending on the results you’ve looking for) and will be ordering the vanilla beans very soon. Amazon, of course, is a good source but there are others out there who sell bulk beans. The initial outlay is a bit pricey but once you’ve brought one batch to maturity all you need to do is purchase a bottle of booze. The beans can be used over and over again. TV cooking personality Ina Garten says she’s been making her own vanilla for years and the beans she has are approximately 25 years old. I read somewhere else that she reported 35. Naturally she has supplemented her original batch but you can tell by the “erosion” of some of them that they probably have been around for a while. The longer you allow your vanilla to steep the better the flavor. Some have said they don’t touch theirs at less than 2 years. I’m hoping to decant mine by the end of April. Great video History Guy. I shared it with my sister in law which is who I’m also sharing my vanilla.
I learned something new about the flavor, and scent I love.
My wife has the real thing. I went with her to purchase the Vanilla extract once. She never complains about the cost of my cigars anymore. Two hundred dollars a bottle.
Just learned that the University of Florida Ag school has developed a vanilla which can be grown in Florida. When I can get my hands on some, I'll grow it on my oak tree.
Perhaps you could look into the Old Man of the Mountain in Franconia Notch New Hampshire, and Mount Washington, home of the world's worst weather. I think you might find some interesting things there do a piece about.
I actually drove up to Mt Washington Saturday 🤣
@@bepbep7418 My favourite place in the world. You should visit around Columbus Day, that's when colors are at their peak, the weather at the base station is very temperate, and the weather at the Summit is very wintry. 😺
@@HM2SGT I live here in Southern Maine, I see all the leaves I want in the fall 😂. If you like to hike, I suggest going even further north to Mt. Katahdin. (My favorite place in the world is Chimney Pond, which is ON the mountain. So it's a little bit of a hike, but well worth it when you get there.)
We got vanilla, chocolate, and corn from Mexico. We often think of pre-Columbian Mexico as primitive. I think we need to re-think that belief. It would be interesting to explore the histories of each one of these things and thank the original people of Mexico for what they have given us.
Vanilla, Tomatoes, and all plants you claim as Mexican are not mexican. They are from nature. Mexico was not before those things were brought up by bees and nature pollination. Those foods were found by, NOT INVENTED BY. DUHH !!!
Peruvians didnt invent Potatoes, And Italians neither invented Noodles. Its all Bullshit. Did USA invent corn? We dont claim that. WE DONT BULLSHIT LIKE YOU DO.
My favorite flavor is vanilla .. the real vanilla. I keep a vanilla bean in my sugar, I keep a vanilla been in vodka. I LOVE VANILLA! Thank you for this .
It’s amazing how complex a history most of our everyday food has.
History Cat!!
Best vanilla, by far, that I’ve had was purchased in Cozumel Mexico.
The important thing about vanilla is it's ability to combine with and improve other flavors. Almost all sweet and many savory dishes contain some vanilla.
YEA !!! Happy history. Thx History guy. You Da BEST. 😉👍
My 3 different strain based homemade batches of vanilla extract have taken offence to your comment about my pantry lol