Indonesia has been called the crossroads of the Asian market. Stretched between the trade routes of Asia and the Middle East, Indonesia has been host to a variety of cultures. For centuries, travelers and immigrants have left their imprint on this archipelago, bringing to the tropical islands many of their native foods. From Mexico came vanilla, but it wasn't until the development of hand cultivation techniques that Indonesian vanilla became a viable commercial crop.

early, which results in a number of flavor components not being fully developed. They have a tendency to pick a whole field at a time rather than individually picking the beans as they ripen. This, combined with a curing process that employs the use of artificial heat sources, results in a vanilla with distinctive flavor characteristics.

Indonesian vanilla is less creamy and more woody than its Madagascar counterpart, but exhibits staying power that is effective in high heat/high stress applications. It works well in baked products such as extruded cookies, chocolate applications, and also blends easily with other vanillas to achieve specialized characteristics.

Indonesian growers are currently working with the British Natural Resources Institute to improve both the cultivation process and curing techniques. Historically, Indonesian vanilla yields have produced an average of 400 metric tons yearly. However, El Nino and La Nina have taken a toll on the vanilla crop in Indonesia in recent
years, lowering the average to around 200 to 300 tons. The U.S. imports 80-90% of Indonesian vanilla beans grown, with the remainder used by Japan and Australia. Limited quantities go to Europe.

Sweet surprises come with using Indonesian pure vanilla. Although it is often referred to as pungent, harsh and bitter in flavor, Indonesian vanilla is chosen for certain applications, such as chocolate, for very good reasons.

This perfect match occurs because Indonesian vanilla possesses the same basic pyrozene notes as chocolate. The pungent, harsher notes of the Indonesian vanilla cuts through the inherent sweetness of the chocolate and releases the vanilla, enhancing the flavor profile, resulting in a delicious chocolate experience. Although Madagascar Bourbon vanilla is considered the pinnacle of vanillas, its smooth and creamy vanilla flavor tends to get 'lost' in chocolate applications. However, it will provide an

excellent flavor profile in the cream centers of chocolate.

Indonesian vanilla is not only the ideal complement to the rich flavors of chocolate candies and coatings, it functions well in other foods with stronger, bitter notes such as coffee, mochas, or tea. It also can be paired with other vanillas such as Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla to create a smooth, mellow vanilla flavor for products such as nutritional snacks, yogurt drinks, or high fat ice creams.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas is pleased to announce two new additions to our industrial ingredient broker network.

In Minnesota, we are now represented by Burley Foods,

Gourmet retailers are looking forward to the availability of Nielsen-Massey's Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste as of April 2001. The product, which has had only limited availability in the past, will be introduced at the Chicago Fancy Food Show in March for all retail markets.

Nielsen-Massey's Pure Vanilla Bean Paste is a unique offering, with a smooth texture and full-

Nielsen-Massey is presented prestigious award

products," Director of the Blue Chip Enterprise Award, Alisa Gaudiosi, presented the honor to Camilla Nielsen.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas was also credited with expanding into the European market and developing a waste disposal

system that was both cost effective and environmentally safe.

The Blue Chip Enterprise Award (BCEA) is co-sponsored by the Mass-Mutual Financial Group and the United States Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes small businesses that have overcome challenges, seized opportunities, creatively utilized resources, and achieved
success. Since 1990, the BCEA has awarded 2,000 small businesses nationwide.

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