BBC - Radio 4 - Woman's Hour -Vanilla

Worth its weight in silver

Vanilla is perhaps best known as the world's favourite ice-cream flavour. But next to saffron, it is the most costly spice on earth. Historically it is said to fetch its weight in silver.

It's also the world's most labour-intensive crop. As a result, the vanilla trade has become a lucrative and incredibly shady business, with producers employing armed guards and workers being killed for a few kilos of the substance.

Jenni is joined by Tim Ecott who's travelled the world seeking out vanilla's rich history, and by Rose Elliot, who'll be making her easy real vanilla ice-cream.

Vanilla: Travels in Search of the Luscious Substance by Tim Ecott is published by Michael Joseph, ISBN 0718145895

Mediterranean Feast by Rose Elliot, Little Books, ISBN 1904435335

Find out how to make Super Fast Ice Cream
Woman's Hour recipes
BBC Lifestyle: Food

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