From the archive record
Vanilla pods growing in Kerala, India. Natural vanillin is obtained from the cured pods (fruits) of the vanilla plant Vanilla planifolia (Family: Orchidaceae). Vanilla is a perennial climbing orchid with sessile leaves and succulent green stems, producing aerial roots (velamen roots) at the nodes. The important vanilla growing countries are Madagascar, Indonesia, Mexico, Comoro and Reunion. Indonesia is the largest producer of vanilla in the world. Vanilla is a native of Mexico and was introduced to India as early as 1835. The estimated area under vanilla in India is about 1000 hectares with a production of 6-8 tonnes (1999-2000). Karnataka has the largest area under vanilla in the country. Natural vanillin is obtained from the cured pods (fruits) of the vanilla plant Vanilla planifolia (F