Vanilla Beans are the un-bloomed blossoms of the Vanilla planifolia plant, which is in the Orchid family. Vanilla beans are thought to be originally from southern Mexico. The word Vanilla is comes from the Spanish language meaning little pod. Hand-picked in a green stage, Vanilla beans are first immersed in warm water, then dried at which point they take on their brown appearance. Once fully cured the inside of the bean is black and pasty in consistency. Use vanilla beans in both sweet and savory applications.