Vanilla bean or pod grown mainly in Madagascar and Indonesia is the only edible fruit-bearing orchid. Each flower blooms for only one day per year and must be hand-pollinated. This process produces a pod that lasts for 3-6 months before developing its full flavor. One pound of cured pods requires harvesting five pounds of pods. Nielsen-Massey's exclusive cold process method extracts the essence from the finest obtainable vanilla pods producing an unsurpassed rich flavor.