Sep 15 2009

French Vanilla

Published by admin at 1:26 pm under Coffee, Cocoa and Tea Equipment

French Vanilla

French Polynesia – A Heavenly Destination

Sprawling over an area that is roughly about the size of the Western Europe, French Polynesia is an astounding destination in the southern Pacific Ocean. Boasting of mind blowing scenery, stupendous mountain peaks, dazzling waterfalls, magnificent valleys filled with aromatic flowers, isolated beaches and islands, incredible lagoons, and turquoise waters, French Polynesia is an overseas nation within the French Republic, and is made up of five archipelagos such as the Society Island, the Austral Island, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, and the Tuamotu Island groups.

French Polynesia is better known by the name of its main island, Tahiti, which is in Society Archipelago. Each of the island groups in French Polynesia has its own significance, and is noted for its unique culture as well as ethnicity. Further, all of the 118 islands are much popular among the holidaymakers from across the world.

Most popular among the island groups in French Polynesia is the Society Archipelago, which covers such incredible destinations as Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, and Tahaa and Raiatea. Crystal-like clear water, breathtaking beaches as well as coral reefs, soaring volcanic peaks, and beautiful waterfalls – all sum up the island of Tahiti, which is not only the most prominent island in Society Group but also in whole of French Polynesia.

Sometimes acknowledged as the ‘Island of Love,’ Tahiti includes two island masses such as Tahiti-Nui and Tahiti-Iti, both of which are connected by an isthmus, namely, the Plateau of Taravao. Further, Tahiti is also home to the capital as well as the bustling port of Papeete, which in turn houses an array of police headquarters, government offices, airline and travel agencies, banks, and telecommunications center.

Al though Tahiti is the main island in French Polynesia, Bora Bora is the most beautiful as well as romantic of all islands in the South Pacific. One of its specialties is brilliant multicolored lagoon, which contains an array of rare as well as beautiful marine species.

The beauty of the island is further enhanced by two majestic mountains that dominate the island, such as, the Mount Otemanu and the Mount Pahia. Bora Bora is also much famed for its mythical and mysterious legends. Hence, it is not a wonder why the island is much sought after among the honeymooners, newly weds, and couples celebrating their anniversaries.

When Tahiti is bestowed with the title ‘The Island of Love,’ and Bora Bora acknowledged as the most beautiful destination on the earth, Moorea is referred to as the magical island, with its jagged volcanic peak, beautiful crystalline lagoons, and isolated small motus. Located just ten miles from Tahiti, Moorea’s focal point is Tiki Village, which is frequented by couples who want to celebrate their marriage or renew their wedding vows in a special way.

When comes to the Huahine, it is popular among the vacationers as the Garden Island. Located about 120 miles north-west of Tahiti, Huahine is easily accessible from Bora Bora, Tahaa, and Raiatea. Other not to miss destinations in Society Archipelago is Tahaa, also known as the Vanilla Island, and Raiatea, otherwise called the Sacred Island.

With more than 75 coral atolls spread across more than 100 miles in the eastern Pacific, Taumotu Islands is made up of such magnificent islands as Rangiroa – the largest atoll in the archipelago; Manihi, noted for its clear lagoon; and Fakarava – a rectangular shaped atoll. Located about 1500 kilometers north-east of Tahiti is the Marquesas Islands, which consists of 12 volcanic islands, of which only six are inhabited. Gambier Archipelago is situated about 1500 kilometers south-east of Tahiti, and is home is to about 14 tiny mountainous islands, among which the largest as well as the most populated is Mangareva. Above all, Austral Islands is located south of Tahiti, and is well-known for its unique art and culture.

All of these island groups provide a spectrum of options for visitors to indulge in a myriad of activities, from land and water sport activities to fun-filled and adventure activities. Just few among them are deep sea fishing, parasailing, kayaking, diving, 4×4 safari tours, hiking, climbing, and much more. Likewise, for sightseers, a plethora of options are available. For instance, Bora Bora in Society Archipelago provides a continuum of attractions in the form of ancient Maraes and remnants of World War II.

With these scores of attractions and activities to enjoy, French Polynesia draws vacationers from every nook and corner of the world. Hence, it has accommodation to cater to every taste and budget. Perhaps the most popular choice among the honeymooners and newly weds is over water bungalows, which are complete with most sophisticated amenities and facilities.

About the Author:

Six exclusive luxury Sofitel and Novotel resorts in French Polynesia, including a private island, offering outstanding natural beauty, sparkling turquoise waters, and all the romance of the South Seas to travelers and honeymooners in search of the ultimate paradise island experience.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – French Polynesia – A Heavenly Destination

French vanilla?

What is he difference between regular vanilla and French vanilla? I know they taste different, but what makes it “French”?
I’m talking about the flavor.

While today’s ice cream enthusiasts may view vanillavanillavanilla as a bland or generic offering, it used to be considered a very exotic flavor indeed. Because it became such a popular choice for consumers, vanillavanillavanilla became the standard bearer of the ice cream family, closely followed by chocolate and strawberry. The complex flavors created by the vanilla bean, a member of the orchid family, were never intended to become a generic base, however.

There are several variations on the standard vanillavanillavanilla flavor, including a particularly rich and creamy variety called French vanilla. While both traditional vanilla and French vanilla ice creams can still be used as a base for milkshakes and other dessert treats, there are a few differences between them. Traditional vanilla flavor is derived from the seeds of a vanilla bean pod, or at least a synthetic chemical equivalent called vanillin. French vanilla is more of an egg custard before freezing, and contains egg yolks for a richer consistency.

Traditional vanillavanillavanilla ice cream is also likely to contain small flecks of vanilla beans, but French vanilla is often strained to remove these flecks. Because of the egg yolks, French vanilla ice cream also appears to be a deeper shade of yellow than traditional vanilla ice cream. French vanilla ice cream is often viewed as creamier in texture than many standard vanilla ice cream brands, which may be a result of starting with a custard base instead of cream.

There is no differencedifferencedifference between the vanilla flavoring used in standard or French vanilla ice cream. Vanilla beans are often distilled in alcohol to extract their complex flavors, and this extract is often used instead of natural vanilla beans when producing ice cream in bulk. Some brands of vanilla ice cream have flecks of real vanilla bean added during the mixing process, but their contribution to the actual flavor may be negligible. French vanilla ice cream is made with the same form of vanilla, but with a different base containing egg yolk.

The differencedifferencedifference between vanilla and French vanilla is more obvious in the fragrance industry than the ice cream industry. “French Vanilla” is often marketed as a fragrance unto itself, whereas a standard vanilla fragrance is commonly blended with other floral or fruity fragrances to create a pleasing hybrid scent for air fresheners and other odor-masking products. The French vanilla scent is generally sweet and slightly buttery, while a standard vanilla scent is more floral and subdued.

The next time you find yourself enjoying a bowl of vanillavanillavanilla or French vanilla ice cream, try to get a sense of all of its complex flavors and textures. You may never look at plain old vanilla ice cream the same way again.

wise geek

Homemade French Vanilla Ice Cream