Herb. No. 132 · Orchidaceae
Mesoamerican orchid of humid forests. A tropical farm crop from Madagascar to Tahiti.
Native · Mexico & Central America
Native Also grown
LegalGentleplant
Vanilla
Vanilla planifolia
A climbing orchid whose green bean is cured into the world’s dessert spice.
Vanilla is a Mesoamerican orchid. The flower lasts a morning; in cultivation it is hand-pollinated. The green pod is blanched, sweated, and dried for months before it smells of vanilla. Culinary extract and the split bean are food. The essential oil is another, stronger product.
Flavor
Cream, tobacco-sweet, a little woody. Real bean has more to it than vanillin.
Parts used
Cured pod
Helpful
- A true kitchen spice
- A spectacular greenhouse vine
Cautions
- A tropical orchid — not a windowsill herb
- Curing takes months