vanilla: Quick Facts

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Oct. 14, 2026

Facts

Also Known As	Vanilla

Photos and Videos

Cluster of green vanilla pods (Vanilla planifolia) hanging from a vine with broad green leaves, cultivated outdoors on Reunion Island.

Several dried vanilla pods are arranged in a pile on a gray wooden surface.

Why is there a shortage of natural vanilla?

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Topics

Mexican vanilla Tahiti vanilla West Indian vanilla flavouring Pogonia Ophrys bucket orchid Orchis Serapias moth orchid greenhood Coelogyne Maxillaria cymbidium

Slices of lemon pie topped with meringue.

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Ceviche. Peruvian ceviche (sebiche). Raw seafood dish with lime, cilantro, peppers, plantains. Cuisine, food

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Chef tossing vegetables in a frying pan over a burner (skillet, food).

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Chocolate wrapped in foil

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Grains and spices in bags, India. (Indian, vendor, market, food)

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Venus's-flytrap. Venus's-flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) one of the best known of the meat-eating plants. Carnivorous plant, Venus flytrap, Venus fly trap

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