Unveiling the Versatility of Vanilla Syrup in Coffee Shop Drinks

From cakes and ice cream, candies and cookies, even to soaps, lotions and shampoos, Vanilla is everywhere. It’s everywhere so often that the word is used to describe something normal, or without modification. Vanilla is expected and presumed, and so it’s no wonder why you see vanilla flavored treats at your local café. All cafes and coffee shops serve one kind of Vanilla Flavoring Syrup. Not only because it’s expected, but because it’s downright delicious.

First Appearance of Vanilla Flavoring Syrups in Coffee Shops

Of course, brewers have been flavoring coffee since it’s humble origins in Yemen hundreds of years ago. Bedouins were known to ground spices like cardamom and coriander with their coffee beans to create a delightfully fragrant brew. Naturally, adding Vanilla Flavoring Syrup into espresso and then pouring milk into it is a little different, but the idea is the same: we love to customize our drinks!

As the story goes, in the early 1980’s, in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, retired Torani representative LC Brandenburg walked into Caffe Trieste and saw Torani syrups lining the back wall. At the time, Torani syrups were overwhelmingly used for Italian sodas and mixed drinks, as a cheaper alternative to liqueurs. LC asked café owner Giovanni Giotta if he could take a few bottles home, and at his home espresso machine LC created the first documented Vanilla Latte. A classic was born!

Natural Vanilla, Vanillin, Madagascar, French Vanilla: Flavoring Syrup

Vanilla is the spice from the pod of orchids that grow from the vanilla plant. There are over 200 distinct chemicals inside of the vanilla extracted from the pod. Vanillin is the specific molecule that gives vanilla its distinct smell and taste. The vanilla plant is very hard to grow and cultivate, which is why the pods come at a hefty price. So how do we have so many tasty treats that taste like vanilla? Turns out, only around 1% of vanilla flavoring comes from the grown vanilla pant. The other 99% comes from a method derived by German scientists Ferdinand Tiemann and Wilhelm Haarmann. They discovered a way to synthesize certain tree sap into vanillin, allowing us to enjoy the goodness of Vanilla Flavoring Syrup without the cost.

Vanilla Flavoring Syrup Paired with Coffee

It’s no wonder why Vanilla Flavoring Syrup is out biggest seller, and surely the biggest seller at your local café. The flavors of coffee and vanilla are a seamless combo of sweet and floral, and roasted fruity chocolate. There isn’t a cup of coffee that can’t be enjoyed with a few pumps of Vanilla Flavoring Syrup.

Versatility of Vanilla Flavoring Syrup

There are so many different ways to enjoy Vanilla Flavoring Syrup. A vanilla latte is coffee shop staple for a reason: warm and delicious, with a touch of sweetness to balance out the strong espresso. But have you tried adding a few pumps of vanilla to cup of chai? Vanilla and tea also make a wonderful paring. Even other tea drinks like Matcha and a London Fog welcome vanilla with open arms of flavor.

Vanilla Flavoring Syrup isn’t only delicious in hot drinks, but also in iced coffee and cold brew (We have that!). Monin and Torani syrups are formulated to taste just as good in cold drinks as hot ones. Perfect for those summer days at the beach or out in the park.

Vanilla Flavoring Syrup can also be used in garnishes and toppings, not just in the coffee itself. A huge trend over the past few years has been cold foam. A sweetened and whipped cream topping that is used to add creaminess, color, fun, and a temperature contrast to various coffee drinks. Take it from the experts, vanilla flavored cold foam is some of the best stuff on earth.

Options for Vanilla Flavoring Syrups here at Dilworth

Dilworth carries a few different options to delight your tastebuds when it comes to Vanilla Flavoring Syrup. Brands like Monin, Torani, and DaVinci are delicious brands that we’re proud to stock and will fit seamlessly in any of your favorite recipes.

Once you’ve tasted the combination of Vanilla Flavoring Syrup and coffee, it’s hard to not crave it again. Good thing that Dilworth has got you covered when it comes to all your coffee and syrup needs.