Where Are Vanilla Beans Grown?
Vanilla beans are dried seed pods used to add a sweet taste to food. There are over 150 varieties of vanilla beans, and 27 of those varieties are grown in Florida in the United States. Though there are many different varieties, we commonly use only 3 types of beans--the Bourbon, Tahitian and Mexican. Does this Spark an idea?
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Origins
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The vanilla bean was originally grown on the gulf coast of Mexico. Vanilla beans eventually became more widely cultivated by other countries, including the United States, Madagascar, Tahiti and Comoros.
Types
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The Bourbon vanilla bean is grown in Madagascar and Comoros, and the Tahitian vanilla bean is grown in Tahiti. The Mexican vanilla bean is grown in Mexico. The majority of vanilla beans are grown in Madagascar and Indonesia.
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Features
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While each vanilla bean variety has distinct differences in taste and fragrances, soil, climate and drying methods also play a role in determining the flavor and fragrance of the vanilla bean.
Fun Fact
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Vanilla beans are the second most expensive spice (Saffron is the first), due to extensive labor involved with cultivation and growing practices.
Geography
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Vanilla beans are typically grown by countries in the 20 degree latitude lines on either side of the equator. Countries such as Uganda, India, Costa Rica and China also cultivate vanilla beans.
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