Vanilla spice is essentially used for flavoring. This plant is used in a number of products right from food to beverages to candies to artificial flavoring etc. It has different varieties being produced in different regions of the world. Vanilla is an expensive spice, thus used in small quantities.


Origin and Distribution
Vanilla is native to Mexico but now it is cultivated throughout the tropics. Main Vanilla producing countries include, Madagascar, , Comoro, Reunion, Tahiti, Malagasy Republic Indonesia, Seychelles and India. These regions are suitable for the growth of Vanilla beans which require, hot, moist tropical climate. Madagascar so far is the largest producer of Vanilla. In Asia, India, China and Indonesia are the major producers.

Types of Vanilla
Bourbon vanilla
Bourbon Vanilla is typically grown in Indian Ocean islands like Madagascar, the Comoros, and Reunion.

Mexican vanilla
It comes from the place of its origin -Mexico.

Tahitian vanilla
Tahitian Vanilla originates from French Polynesia.

Forms of Vanilla

• Whole Beans
• Powder
• Extract

Chemical Constituents
Vanilla consist of vanillin. Aroma is determined by p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and p-hydroxybenzyl methyl ether. Some other constituents of Vanilla that affect its aroma and flavor are phenoles, alcohols, carbonyl compounds, phenol ether,acids, ester, etc. Apart from this vanilla also contains sugars, cellulose, minerals and water.

Vanilla Description
Vanilla belongs to orchid family. It is a tropical plant that posses a stout, succulent stem; short petioled, oblong leaves. The stem is fleshy from which root is sprouted that cling to trees parasitically. The flowers are yellow and grow in bunches. Fruit that is also known by the name of beans or pod is a capsule of cylindrical shape and is around 20cm in length. The bean or the pod posses distinctive flavour which are slender and dark brown in colour.

Vanilla Cultivation
Vanilla thrives well in warm and moist climate. The soils on which it is grown can be either sandy loam or laterites. Plantation is done by proper shoot cutting which is carried out taking into account the availability of the land and the planting material. Land is prepared accordingly and then the plantation process starts.

Vanilla, is a climbing vine therefore support system is first decided. The support can come from either tree or other leguminous plants. Vanilla is generally planted at a time when the weather is not too rainy or too dry. June July, August-September are The most suitable time for its cultivation. The plantation requires shades either partially or completely during the initial periods. For planting Vanilla, cutting is used. The cutting strike roots after four to eight weeks for the cuttings and shows the initial initial signs of growth.

After plantation soil is mulched with the layers of materials that regulates the expose of soil to heat, water penetration in the soil, slow down evaporation etc. For layering, mixture of grasses and leguminous species should be used.

Vine should not be allowed to grow above 1.50 m otherwise it will not blossom. Pollination of the flower is usually done by hand. After six weeks of fertilization, pods attain full size but mature only after 4 to 10 months.

Harvesting
Bean is harvested when the fruit is ripe. The bean turns yellow on ripening. This means that harvesting should commenced. If the bean is not harvested it turns yellow on the remaining portion and starts splitting. On splitting it gives out a small quantity of l reddish brown oil called the Balsam of Vanilla. Consequently the beans become scentless and dry. To cure this the artificial methods are employed. In this method enzyme is reacted with the glucosides contained in the beans. This restore the scent of the beans.

Trade in Vanilla
Global scenario
Though vanilla is native to Mexico, but Madagascar is the largest producer of vanilla. International trade in vanilla beans is determined by certain factors including agreements between the producing country and the importing country. The export prices and volumes are fixed based on these agreements. The international demand of natural vanilla is sensitive due to stiff competition form synthetic vanilla, which is cheaper.

Major Vanilla Producing Countries

• China
• India
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Papua New Guinea

Uses of Vanilla
This plant is used for a number of industries including:
Food Industry
Vanilla spice is extensively used in food processing for its aroma and strong flavor. The products can range from custard powders to milk powders, ice creams to biscuits to confectionery, sweets etc.

Beverage Industry
It is also used for artificial flavoring of aerated drinks, juices etc. Coca Cola is said to be the largest consumer of vanilla for its beverages.

Medicine
It is also used to flavor certain medicinal syrups for infants and children. Vanilla essential oil is popularly used in aromatherapy. It is sometimes also considered as an aphrodisiac.