What are the different kinds of vanilla beans?
There are two species of vanilla beans. The first is Vanilla Planifolia, which originated in Mexico. Since then, the orchid has been cultivated in other parts of the world, most famously in Madagascar, where it might be referred to as “Bourbon” vanilla. This name comes from the island where it was grown (you guessed it—Bourbon Island, athough it is now known as Reunion Island). Madagascar gets a lot of the attention for vanilla because as of 2006, 59% of all vanilla is cultivated there. Despite being the land of their origin, Mexico produces only 3% of all vanilla worldwide. The flavor of these Planifolia beans is relatively similar to those of Madagascar. The difference is that they have a slightly darker, woodier fragrance. Then there are Tahitian beans, which come from an entirely different plant—Vanilla Tahitiensis. This plant is a mutation of the planifolia. The beans contain very little vanillin content (the compound that contributes most the the flavor we associate with vanilla)
