Vanilla planifolia: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:44, 9 February 2025

Species of orchid

Vanilla planifolia, commonly known as vanilla, is a species of orchid native to Mexico and Central America. It is the primary source of the vanilla flavoring, derived from the vanilla bean.

Description

Vanilla planifolia is a perennial climbing vine that can grow up to 15 meters in length. The plant has fleshy, succulent leaves and greenish-yellow flowers. The flowers are hermaphroditic and require manual pollination in cultivation outside of their native range. The fruit, known as a vanilla bean, is a long, slender pod that contains tiny seeds.

Cultivation

The cultivation of Vanilla planifolia requires a warm, humid climate with temperatures ranging from 21 to 32 degrees Celsius. The plant is typically grown in shaded areas to mimic its natural habitat under the forest canopy. Vanilla vines are often supported by trees or trellises.

Pollination

In its native habitat, Vanilla planifolia is pollinated by specific species of bees. However, outside of this region, pollination is usually done by hand. This labor-intensive process involves transferring pollen from the anther to the stigma of the flower.

Harvesting and Processing

Vanilla beans are harvested when they are still green and immature. The beans undergo a curing process that includes blanching, sweating, and drying. This process can take several months and is essential for developing the characteristic vanilla flavor and aroma.

Uses

Vanilla is widely used as a flavoring agent in food and beverages, particularly in desserts such as ice cream, cakes, and custards. It is also used in perfumes and aromatherapy.

Related pages

Gallery

Cluster of green vanilla pods
Vanilla vine growing on a Dracaena

References

Chase, M. W., & Cameron, K. M. (2000). "Vanilla: The genus Vanilla." In: "Orchids of the World." Timber Press.
Lubinsky, P., et al. (2008). "Origins and dispersal of cultivated vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews)." Economic Botany, 62(2), 127-138.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Vanilla planifolia''', commonly known as the vanilla orchid, is a species of vanilla orchid. It is native to Mexico and is one of the primary sources for [[vanilla]] flavoring, due to its high vanillin content. This species is particularly important in the global culinary and fragrance industries.
+{{short description|Species of orchid}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Vanilla planifolia
+| image = Vanilla_planifolia_(6998639597).jpg
+| image_caption = Vanilla planifolia flower
+| regnum = Plantae
+| unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
+| unranked_classis = Monocots
+| ordo = Asparagales
+| familia = Orchidaceae
+| subfamilia = Vanilloideae
+| genus = Vanilla
+| species = '''''V. planifolia'''''
+| binomial = ''Vanilla planifolia''
+| binomial_authority = Jacks. ex Andrews
+}}
+'''''Vanilla planifolia''''', commonly known as [[vanilla]], is a species of [[orchid]] native to [[Mexico]] and [[Central America]]. It is the primary source of the vanilla flavoring, derived from the [[vanilla bean]].
 ==Description==
-''Vanilla planifolia'' is a vine-like plant that can grow up to 30 meters in length. Its stems are slender and green, climbing or sprawling with the support of trees. The leaves are flat, broad, and glossy, with a smooth edge. The orchid produces clusters of yellow-green flowers that are about 5 cm in diameter. Each flower opens up in the morning and closes by the afternoon, lasting only a single day. The fruit of the plant, commonly referred to as a vanilla bean, is a long, slender pod that matures to a length of about 20 cm. These pods turn black and wrinkled when cured, developing their characteristic flavor and aroma.
+''Vanilla planifolia'' is a perennial climbing vine that can grow up to 15 meters in length. The plant has fleshy, succulent leaves and greenish-yellow flowers. The flowers are hermaphroditic and require manual pollination in cultivation outside of their native range. The fruit, known as a vanilla bean, is a long, slender pod that contains tiny seeds.
 ==Cultivation==
-The cultivation of ''Vanilla planifolia'' requires a warm, humid climate with temperatures ranging from 21 to 32 degrees Celsius. It thrives in well-drained soil with moderate to high humidity levels and partial shade. The plant is typically grown on tree trunks or wooden supports, allowing its vines to climb. Hand pollination is often necessary outside of its native habitat, as the natural pollinators, certain species of bees and hummingbirds, are not present in most regions where vanilla is cultivated. The process of growing vanilla is labor-intensive, contributing to the high cost of natural vanilla products.
+The cultivation of ''Vanilla planifolia'' requires a warm, humid climate with temperatures ranging from 21 to 32 degrees Celsius. The plant is typically grown in shaded areas to mimic its natural habitat under the forest canopy. Vanilla vines are often supported by trees or trellises.
+==Pollination==
+In its native habitat, ''Vanilla planifolia'' is pollinated by specific species of bees. However, outside of this region, pollination is usually done by hand. This labor-intensive process involves transferring pollen from the anther to the stigma of the flower.
 ==Harvesting and Processing==
-The pods of ''Vanilla planifolia'' are harvested by hand before they are fully mature to prevent them from splitting. After harvesting, the pods undergo a lengthy curing process, which may last several months. This process involves blanching, sweating, drying, and conditioning of the pods, which develops their distinctive vanilla flavor and aroma. The cured vanilla pods can then be used whole, or they can be processed to extract vanilla essence or vanilla powder.
+Vanilla beans are harvested when they are still green and immature. The beans undergo a curing process that includes blanching, sweating, and drying. This process can take several months and is essential for developing the characteristic vanilla flavor and aroma.
 ==Uses==
-''Vanilla planifolia'' is widely used in the food and beverage industry as a flavoring agent. Its extract is a key ingredient in a variety of products, including ice cream, chocolate, baked goods, and beverages. Beyond its culinary uses, vanilla is also utilized in the fragrance industry, adding its sweet and warm aroma to perfumes and aromatherapy products. Additionally, vanilla has been attributed with various medicinal properties, though these are less scientifically substantiated.
+Vanilla is widely used as a flavoring agent in [[food]] and [[beverage]]s, particularly in [[desserts]] such as [[ice cream]], [[cakes]], and [[custards]]. It is also used in [[perfume]]s and [[aromatherapy]].
+==Related pages==
+* [[Vanilla (genus)]]
+* [[Orchidaceae]]
+* [[Spice]]
-==Conservation==
+==Gallery==
-The demand for natural vanilla has led to intensive cultivation practices, which, along with habitat loss and climate change, threaten the sustainability of ''Vanilla planifolia''. Efforts are being made to promote sustainable farming practices that ensure the long-term viability of vanilla cultivation while minimizing environmental impact.
+<gallery>
+File:Vanilla_planifolia_cluster_of_green_pods.JPG|Cluster of green vanilla pods
+File:Vanilla_on_Dracaena.JPG|Vanilla vine growing on a Dracaena
+</gallery>
-[[Category:Orchids]]
+==References==
-[[Category:Spices]]
+* Chase, M. W., & Cameron, K. M. (2000). "Vanilla: The genus Vanilla." In: "Orchids of the World." Timber Press.
-[[Category:Agricultural crops]]
+* Lubinsky, P., et al. (2008). "Origins and dispersal of cultivated vanilla (''Vanilla planifolia'' Jacks. ex Andrews)." Economic Botany, 62(2), 127-138.
-[[Category:Flavoring substances]]
-{{botany-stub}}
+[[Category:Vanilla|planifolia]]
+[[Category:Orchids of Mexico]]
+[[Category:Orchids of Central America]]