Vanilla Orchids (ορχιδέα βανίλια - έκδοση στα αγγλικά)

Vanilla Orchids
Natural History and Cultivation

The history of the world's most popular flavor and fragrance spans continents and centuries, but vanilla's origins may surprise even devoted connoisseurs. This revered and expensive spice, with its rare, complex flavor and perfume, actually comes from the fruit of a highly prized orchid.
From its discovery to its fascinating genetics, pollination, and development, leading orchid expert Ken Cameron covers the natural history, biology, structure, evolution, and diversity of the genus Vanilla — especially Vanilla planifolia, the primary natural source of vanilla flavor and fragrance — and related orchids. Illustrated with more than 100 color photographs and vanilla artifacts from around the world, this lively exploration includes a complete account of the genus and of its storied allure. Cameron also traces the path of the vanilla bean from harvesting and curing through commercial processing. Detailed profiles of selected species and hybrids include important tips on cultivation.
The plants are easily propagated from stem cuttings and can be grown at home for their large glossy leaves and beautiful climbing stems. The intriguing white flowers, however, will elude most home growers, as will the vanilla beans themselves. Under ideal conditions flowers emerge during the night and must be pollinated before noon if they are to develop into vanilla beans. But creating one's own vanilla extract and making vanilla ice cream from Thomas Jefferson's original recipe are within every enthusiast's reach.