Vanilla, the queen of fragrances

With its Latin name Vanilla Planifolia, vanilla has always been a symbol of indulgence and good living. Found in cakes, perfumes, cosmetics, it is widely used but do you really know everything about this pod fruit?

Vanilla grows on a vine in hot, humid, tropical environments (between 20 and 30°C) and can grow at elevations up to 1,000 metres and hides in the undergrowth to stay protected from the sun. The special feature of this plant and the reason why it’s so expensive is that it pollinated by hand. Farmers undertake this daily task during the entire three-month flowering period. Some bees help with the pollination but unfortunately their pollinating accounts for a fraction of the effort required. The fruit then needs nine months to ripen, making for long, laborious work.

When the vanilla pods have ripened, they become long, green, odourless and slightly curved. This is the time when they are harvested. Many different processes are then applied to develop the aroma of this exceptionally intense fruit.

• The first step is scalding. This consists of plunging the vanilla pods in hot water, which ensures that the pods don’t open up later on.

• The second step is sweating. This is where the still warm vanilla pods stay for twelve to fourteen hours in sealed containers. It is at this stage that the vanilla will turn its iconic dark brown colour.

• After these two key steps, the vanilla pods are dried out in the sun over several days for a minimum of three hours per day. Then, to slow down the drying process, the fruit is dried in the shade for one to two months so it loses up to 60% of its water content.

• The last step is conditioning. Over four months, the vanilla pods are placed in boxes to develop their aroma and are further dried out to avoid any excess moisture that could cause mould to grow on the vanilla.

After these steps, the vanilla pods as we know them can finally be sold. It is a long process that Les Senteurs Gourmandes wanted to emphasise in its products in the range Traditionnelles Vanilles.