Have you ever wondered what makes French Vanilla, French?
When we polled our lovely Instagram community, you all voted for French Vanilla as a flavor you wanted in your custom lipsticks. Immediately, our team began working on sourcing the best vanilla.... which turns out to be French Vanilla.
It is not the origin of vanilla bean that gives it the "Frenchness," because they are grown in Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico.
What makes French Vanilla, French, is how the French make vanilla ice cream. The classic French way of making ice cream uses an egg-custard base, giving it a rich, sweet deep note.
To give you the most technical definition:
"Today, in sensory terms, when we refer to French vanilla, it is when the vanilla flavor is caramelized, custard-like, cooked, egg yolk-like, slightly floral."
-Mauricio Poulsen, director of creation and application flavors for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.