* Vanilla Beans (Vanilla Planifolia) are long thin pods from a variety of orchid that's grown in a commercial scale in Sri Lanka. * Vanilla pods are waxy and dark, filled with little brown specks and emit a sweet fragrance. * Vanilla Beans have a flexible, soft and shiny bean surface and are mostly grown in home gardens to give extensive care. * Vanilla (Powder) is an indispensable raw material in the food additive industry.