Vanilla

This spice, from the orchid family, is a long, thin fruit that when split open, reveals hundreds of tiny back seeds. The seeds can be scraped out and added to a plethora of things to give them an aroma and flavour unlike anything else. You can also buy vanilla extract, and a really good quality one works well; the essence, however, is not worth getting involved with. Vanilla pods will last up to six months in a dry, airtight container, which is kept in the dark.