Vanilla
Vanilla planiforlia, Orchidaceae
Holding on tight
VanillaVanilla planiforlia, Orchidaceae |
| Although we call it vanilla bean, vanilla is not related to real beans (legumes) but belongs to the orchid family. It is the only orchid that is not grown for its flowers but for its seeds. In the wild, vanilla flowers can only be pollinated by a specific bee in Mexico. The only way to get vanilla beans in cultivation is through artificial pollination. Vanilla flavor is extracted with alcohol from the fermented seed pod. Making vallina into spice is a long and complicated procedure. This makes vanilla one of the most expensive spices in the world. |
|
Holding on tight |
Back to Tropical Forest mainpage |
Back to Conservatory |