GRADES OF VANILLA; 01. Grade A (Length: 6 inches / Moisture: 30%35%) 02. Grade B (Length: 5-6 inches / Moisture: 15% 25%) Vanilla is a comparatively new crop to be established in Sri Lanka. Of the four vanilla cultivars commercially cultivated in the world, Sri Lankan natural vanilla cultivators, like others in the Indian ocean, produce Bourbon vanilla or Bourbon-Madagascar vanilla derived from the Vanilla Plan folia species. Around 2000 farmers in Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Badulla and Galle are engaged in the cultivation of Vanilla in Sri Lanka. Vanilla grows well in 1000m above sea level in Sri Lanka, under mild temperature and 2000-2500 mm rainfall and thrives under shade away from direct sunlight. Considered to be a delicate crop which requires a labour intensive process to grow and pollinate, the slow adoption of Vanilla as a cash crop is also due to the 6 to 1 weight loss when producing cured vanilla beans from green beans. BENEFITS OF VANILLA; 01. Helps Weight Loss - Vanilla is known to act as a natural appetite suppressant that improves metabolism. Aromatherapy treatment done with vanilla essence can reduce the craving for a sweet tooth. 02. Relieves toothache - Vanillin, the organic compound found in natural vanilla acts as as a painkiller and germicide, helping to reduce the pain caused by tooth decay 03. Relieves Depression and Anxiety - Aromatherapy treatment done with vanilla essence has been found to relieve stress and anxiety to bring temporary relief from claustrophobia, stress and anxiety attacks.
