Vanilla is a popular ingredient, concept, & lifestyle.
Its name is intended to represent unadventurous adult choices, & it's generally the sole leftover cupcake at a birthday party.
Vanilla's reputation as a bland fallback is a shame, because it's astonishing how prevalent it is.
Before vanilla ice cream was in every freezer, it was a rare item.
National Geographic says the Totonacs of Mexico discovered the vanilla orchid in the 15th century.
Totonacs believed the plant was born from the blood of a princess murdered for marrying a mortal (via Plant Scientist).
Vanilla spread over Europe after the Aztecs defeated Totonac. Vanilla is the second most expensive spice because to the difficult hand-pollination process, reports NatGeo.