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Viva Vanilla

 Did you know that vanilla is derived from the seed of an orchid?

• There are several species of vanilla orchids that all originate in Mexico.
• Indigenous people of Mazantla valley, near present day Vera Cruz, were the first to cultivate vanilla orchids.
• Vanilla orchids are now grown in other tropical countries and the biggest producer is Madagascar.
• The fact that only one species of bee can successfully pollinate vanilla orchids presents a problem to growers outside of the orchids' native habitat. Growers rely on artifical pollination.
• Another problem facing growers outside of the orchids’ native habitat is that vanilla seeds only germinate with the assistance of a type of fungi present in the soil. Growers can only grow orchids by propagation and cuttings rather than by starting them from seed.
• Pods are harvested while they are still green. The pod undergoes a sweating process for 7 – 10 days kept in hot and humid conditions. They are then dried and made in to powder and extracts or sold as vanilla pods.

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