Vanilla is a wild plant that the Keqchies of Guatemala used in their religious ceremonies as a tribute to Mother Nature, which is why vanilla is considered an ancient and mystical orchid.
Some of its origins
It was discovered by the Totonacs, who named it "Xanath" meaning "Black Flower", and they used it for medicinal purposes and as a flavoring, especially in cacao drinks.
Vanilla is a climbing orchid native to the tropical forests of Southeastern Mexico and Central America.
Among its native species are: plantifolia, guatemalensis, and tahitensis.
How we can find it
It is identified by its white flowers with yellowish tones. It is referenced as one of the four flowers of the Popol Vuh in the passage of Xibalbá.
When the Spaniards encountered the fruit, they associated it with the legumes they called pods; from that moment, they named it "vainitas" and exported it to Spain, from where it spread to other parts of the world.
At the same time, cacao cultivation was developing, and vanilla pods grew on cacao trees, keeping an accessible height and surrounded by achiote bushes.
The cacao trees supported the vanilla; the vanilla attracted pollinators; the madrecacao protected the soil from erosion and provided shade, while the achiote bushes kept pests away. Hence the belief that the origin of the Kekchí chocolate triad was a combination of cacao, vanilla, and achiote.
For centuries, vanilla has been used in food preparation, especially sweets like cakes, flans, ice creams, and other products found in Guatemalan cuisine.
