Vanilla is the only edible orchid in the world. It grows as a vine, climbing up an existing tree, pole, or other support. Outside Mexico, where it originally comes from, vanilla has to be hand-pollinated. This is a very delicate operation as the vanilla flower must be pollinated within 12 hours of opening, otherwise, the blossom wilts and falls and no vanilla bean can grow. Also, only 5 to 6 flowers per bunch must be pollinated to get good quality vanilla. Once green vanilla beans have been harv