Vanilla

India is fast emerging as a major vanilla grower. vanilla cultivation is widely adopted in the southern states of kerala, tamil nadu, karnataka and andhra pradesh.next to saffron and cardamom, vanilla is the worlds next most expensive spice. vanilla, a member of the orchid family is a climbing monocot possessing a stout, succulent stem; short petioled, oblong leaves; about 20 cm long. the inflorescence is a raceme with 20 or more flowers. flowers are 6 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, either yellowish green or white. fruit popularly known as beans or pod is a capsule, nearly cylindrical and about 20 cm long.
Vanilla is used in various forms like beans, powder, paste and extract. it is used mainly as a flavouring material; a critical intermediary in a host of pharmaceutical products and as a subtle component of perfumes. as a flavouring agent, it is used in the preparation of ice creams, milk, beverages, candies, confectionaries and various bakery items.