In today's episode, Katie has 30 minutes to become an "expert" on... Vanilla! The plant, the spice, the flavor, we cover it all. And, at the risk/certainty of making a very embarrassing and overdone joke, there is nothing "vanilla" about vanilla. Vanilla is the second-most expensive spice in the world (after saffron). It has to be hand-pollinated using a method discovered by a 12-year-old boy enslaved on an island off Madagascar. And the flower blooms for one day before it dies, a la Dennis the Menace, so if you miss that one day, you're out of luck - hence, the second-most expensive spice ever. It all starts with a fascinating legend from the Totonac people, which involves a princess and murder. Come along to Tahiti, Madagascar, and Indonesia! And stick around 'til the end for Thomas Jefferson's recipe for french vanilla ice cream brought directly from France!  Follow on instagram @30minuteexpertpodcast and twitter @30minexpertpod Send us your expertise at [email protected] And please rate and review! Podcast artwork by Rick Radvansky Music by Jake Radvansky