Christmas is a holiday when people use only the best ingredients to make recipes handed down for generations. Whether you are making Italian delicacies such as cannolis, traditional gingerbread cookies or simply want to spruce up your waffles for your Christmas breakfast fare, the secret is in the quality of your vanilla. Vanilla is not just used in the kitchen for sauces, beverages and candy but is also one of the key ingredients used to make perfume and aromatherapy products. Although it has a myriad of uses, it is cherished amongst cooks. Vanilla, derived from the Spanish word "vainilla" means little pod. It is also the second most expensive spice in the world. There is a good reason why. Vanilla comes from an orchid which must be hand pollinated in order to yield large quantities. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has been producing premium pure vanilla products since 1907. From its ever-popular Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla to custom blends and flavors created for specific customer needs, Nielsen-Massey has earned the reputation as the producer of fine vanillas worldwide. All Nielsen-Massey's vanilla products are Kosher certified and Gluten-free certified. They have been a certified organic producer since 1998. Nielsen-Massey’s Vanilla Extract is also Fair Trade Certified which ensures small-scale farmers in developing countries receive a fair price and use sustainable farming practices. This stabilizes vanilla-producing communities, protects the environment and ensures a consistent supply of ingredients to customers. The Fair Trade Certification has become an essential certification that substantiates quality. To continue to be an award winning company for three generations, quality is paramount! In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, Beth Nielsen, Chief Culinary Officer, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas (http://www.nielsenmassey.com) talks about her family’s growth throughout the century and its contribution to the organic industry.