Wholesale Vanilla

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on vanilla

description
Vanilla planifolia is a vine from the Orchidaceae family.

The plant's short-blooming flowers are greenish-yellow and are about 2 inches in diameter (5cm). There is less than 1% chance that the flowers will be pollinated in the wild, so in order to receive a steady flow of fruit when grown on farms, the flowers must be hand-pollinated. The flowers are pollinated manually in the morning hours, since they last only a day. The plants are self-fertile, and pollination simply requires a transfer of the pollen from the anther to the stigma. If pollination does not occur, the flower will drop the following day.

Only mature plants (generally over 10 feet in length) will produce fruit. The fruits are pods 6-9 inches long—and often incorrectly referred to as "beans".

common names & nomenclature
The word vanilla, is derived from the diminutive of the Spanish word vaina which means "sheath" or "pod", and so, simply translates as "little pod".

Also known as:
vanilla, vanilla bean, vainilla, araco aromatico, banillenlen, flat-leaved vanilla, tahitian vanilla, west indian vanilla, vanilla fragrans

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for vanilla

Vanilla planifolia is a species of vanilla orchid that is native to Mexico, also found in Central America and the West Indies. It is harvested mostly in Mexico and Madagascar.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting vanilla

climate
Vanilla planifolia prefers hot, wet, tropical rainforest climates in indirect sunlight.

soil
Vanilla plants begin growing in rich, fertile soil, but will soon climb and grow on nearby tropical trees and at some point the plant base will rot away and the plant will be truly epiphytic (a non-parasitic plant that grows on another plant).

growing
Vanilla propagates readily from cuttings grown in a warm, humid greenhouse. Vanilla plants grown from cuttings will take three to four years to flower.

harvesting
Fruits ("pods", "beans") mature after about five months, at which point they are harvested and cured. Curing ferments and dries the pods. Curing also minimizes the loss of essential oils. Vanilla extract is obtained from this portion of the plant.

preserving
Store cured vanilla in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

Formulas & recipes

Considered sweet, spicy, woody with balsamic notes, vanilla is a cherished flavor, standard in particular cakes and many other baked items, ice creams, coffees and chocolates, whipped creams, milk and grain milks, desserts, liqueurs.

How do you use whole vanilla beans?

Whole vanilla beans have a variety of options beyond culinary. You can make tinctures, candles, syrups, powders, perfumes, body scrubs, smoothies and more.

Lavender vanilla perfume recipe

• 1/2 cup vodka
• 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
• 1 cup dried lavender flowers
• 2 whole vanilla beans
• 15 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops vanilla extract

Slice open the vanilla beans with a sharp knife. Place the beans and lavender flowers in a large mason jar. Pour the vodka into the jar and secure the lid. Let the mixture infuse for 7 days. Strain and discard vanilla beans and lavender flowers. Add the glycerin, lavender essential oil and vanilla extract to the reserved liquid and stir. Replace the lid and allow the perfume to age for four to six weeks. Strain the perfume once more through a paper filter and transfer to into decorative spray bottles.

How to store whole vanilla beans?

Store vanilla beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Health and therapeutic uses

There are a variety of wide-ranging therapeutic uses for vanilla. The aroma has a calming effect, may help curb sugar intake and can aid in the relief of gas. Furthermore a primary component of vanilla, Vanillin, may offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.