Vanilla Planifolia. The stalk of the Vanilla plant grows on a support. The spice grows in the form of long, green pods which, once harvested, are plunged into boiling water then laid out in the sun for several weeks. They only acquire their final fragranc

Vanilla goes superbly with sweet foods, but today's great chefs happily use it in savory dishes

Recommendation: Cut the vanilla lengthways to let out its flavor.