Mexican vanilla is subtle and floral, yet rich. More than 400 families throughout Veracruz grow beans for Gaya–the largest pods are sold whole, the mid-sized are made into beautiful aromatherapy trinkets, and the smallest are used for extract. We add it to many things, like pastel des tres leches, flans, and smoothies. It’s humans who do the pollination. Some say it’s a spice of passion. Mexico’s a pretty passionate place. -Susana Trilling, chef, director, Seasons of My Heart, Aurora, Mexico Mexican Vanilla Extract, $9.95 for 4 ounces at melissaguerra.com