Popular And Expensive Spice Vanilla Podsa
The vanilla pods that produces a nice aromatic flavor is obtained from the orchids that belongs to the Vanilla genus, mainly belonging to the flat-leaved vanilla (Mexican species). The term vanilla is derived from vaina, a Spanish diminutive, which means pod or sheath or can also be translated as little pod. Before Cortez, vanilla was not known to the ‘Old World’. The vanilla obtained its current name during the early 16th century when the explorers of Spain arrived on the Mexican Gulf Coast. Later in that century, the vanilla was brought into Asia and Africa by the Portuguese and Spanish sailors. In the year 1754, the term ‘Vanilla’ emerged into the English language by a botanist named Philip Miller, when he mentioned about it in his ‘Gardener’s Dictionary’. Vanilla Pods – Cultivars There are four major types of vanilla pods grown and used across the globe. Bourbon Vanilla – It is also called as Bourbon-Madagascar Vanilla. It is produced from the V. planifolia species of plants grown on the islands along the Indian Ocean like Réunion, Madagascar and the Comoros. These vanilla pods were formerly known as Île Bourbon. The name Bourbon Vanilla also describes the different and unique flavor obtained from the vanilla pods grown in India and other tropical countries. The Bourbon Vanilla is widely used across the world for several purposes. Tahitian Vanilla – This vanilla is obtained from the strain of the V. tahitiensis plant from the French Polynesia. It was first introduced from Philippines to the French Polynesia by François Alphonse Hamelin (French Admiral). According to genetic analysis, this type of vanilla pods could be a hybrid-cross of V. odorata and V. planifolia. Mexican Vanilla – It is obtained from the V. Planifolia, a native Mexican plant. This type of vanilla pods is popular as it comes from the land of origin. The Mexican vanilla pods are produced in very less quantity. West Indian Vanilla – This type of vanilla are grown in the South and Central America and in the Caribbean and is obtained from the strain of the V. pompon. Vanilla Pods – Why are they very expensive?