Handbook of Vanilla Science and Technology

The most common vanilla pests are worms (Plusia aurifera, Agrotis sp.), crickets (Stenacris sp.), thrips (Chaetanaphothrips sp.), slugs (Vaginulus sp.), and mice (Figure 3.5 (left)). The common diseases of vanilla plants in Costa Rica are Fusarium oxisporum f. sp. vanillae, Phytophthora sp., anthracnose (Colletotrichum vanillae), Xanthomonas sp., and Mycospharella sp. (Figure 3.5 (middle and right)). The most important means of control are good cultural practices, such as good drainage, good air circulation, adequate organic matter, low vanilla plant density, some insect repellents, and biological control micro-organisms.

Fig. 3.5 Damage to vanilla plants from mice (left), Phytophthora sp. (middle), and Fusarium sp. (right).

3.7 VANILLA BEAN PROCESSING

The vanilla pod curing is done in three steps: scalding, sunning/sweating, drying and conditioning. The most common method used is the Bourbon method, where the beans are submerged in hot water for several minutes in the killing process to stop the cellular metabolism of the pod. Sunning and sweating are done by putting the vanilla pods in the sunlight, until they are hot. They are then wrapped in sheets and put into an airtight container overnight. This process is repeated for several weeks until the bean has a moisture content of only 30%. Finally the vanilla pods are conditioned indoors for several months. During this period the pods are selected by size, cultivar, and quality. Then, the vanilla beans are ready to be packed for sale. Costa Rica does not yet have classification standards for vanilla beans size and quality. The classification used by Las Dos Manos Vanilla Ltda. is shown in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2 Las Dos Manos Vanilla Ltda. Vanilla bean classification

Grade | Color and Brilliance | Aroma | Size,cm | Vanillin,%[1] | Water content, % | No. beans per kilogram

Mini | Dark brown | Sweet | 14-15 | 2 | 20 |

Small | Dark brown, brilliant | Sweet | 16-18 | 2 | 20 | 155

Medium | Dark brown, brilliant | Sweet | 19-22 | 2 | 25 | 90

Large | Dark brown, brilliant | Sweet | 23-26 | 2.5 | 25 | 78

Premium | Dark brown, brilliant | Sweet | 27-up | 2.5 | 25

The vanilla beans from Costa Rica are larger than those from other locations. We have had some 28 cm long, with a weight of 14 g per pod. The beans are fleshy, oily, and dark brown brilliant. The fragrance is sweet, woody, and vanillin-like.

3.8 CONCLUSIONS

In 16 years of vanilla cultivation in Cost Rica, a lot of new knowledge has been obtained. We know now that organic materials are very important for the vanilla plant. The intensive vanilla cultivation system works if the plant density is low and cultural practices such as drainage, plant guiding, and pest control are done adequately. The acclimation of tissue culture plants is a very sensitive stage of the plant. Since vanilla cultivation is environmentally friendly, it can be located near national parks and biological research preserves. Because of the intensive labor forces needed, the vanilla companies are a very important source of employment for many Costa Rican communities.

REFERENCES

Chin, C-K. (2004) Vanilla propagation and micro-propagation. Vanilla Science and Technology Conference.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, August 2-6.

Guzman-Diaz, G. (1997) Cuadros Estadisticos sobre 23 Actividades Agricolas y Pecuarias. Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganaderia. San Jose (Costa Rica). 27 p.

Marin-González, R. (2003) Microorganismos Beneficos. Appl. Revista Crisol. 11-12.

Paniagua, V.A. (2006) Respuesta en Crecimiento y produccwn de la Vainilla en Condiciones de Cultivo Orgcinico, mediante el uso de cuatro especies forestales como tutores: Instituto de Investigation y Servicios Forestales (INISEFOR) Universidad Nacional (UNA).

Ocampo, S.R. (1987) Seminario sobre El Cultivo de Especias en Costa Rica. Colegio de Ingenieros Agronomos.

Ramirez, C., Rapidel, B. andMattey, J. (1999) Principales Factores Agronomicos Restrictivos en el Cultivo de La Vainilla y su Alivio en la Zona de Quepos, Costa Rica. XI Congreso Nacional Agrondmico, pp. 309-313.

Zuniga, J.X. (1996) Emergencia! Urge Revision Total: Cruz Roja Costarricense, Appl. La Nation.