Spices and Condiments (1+1)

Origin and distribution

 
• Vanilla is indigenous to South-eastern Mexico, Guatemala and parts of Central America but is now being cultivated in other parts of the tropics such as Java, Comoro Islands, Reunion, Mauritius, Madagascar, Tahiti, Zanzibar, Uganda, Tonga, Jamaica and other islands of West Indies. The history of this orchid spice starts from 1520 AD, however the commercial cultivation started only after 1814. This crop was introduced to India 200 years ago. In India, it is grown in a few estates of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.