Vanilla

Vanilla pods are the fruit of a tropical vine. When you buy them, they are long, thin and black. They can be split to allow you to use the tiny seeds within, or the pods, which are very fragrant in themselves, can be used whole. Keep the pods in an airtight jar with your caster sugar, and the sugar will be infused with the vanilla flavour – giving you a constant supply of vanilla sugar for desserts and cakes.