Ver, Comer y Saber: #Repost @slowfood_international (@get_repost) ・・・ The Aztecs were the first to use #vanilla, and it is still cultivated in the tropical forests of Central America. However, some of the world’s best vanilla is grown in Madagascar, far from its homeland. Introduced to the island by French colonists in the mid-1800s, vanilla flourished in the rainforests along the island’s northeast coast. Today, Madagascar is one of the biggest vanilla-producing countries in the world. In the Mananara Nord Biosphere Reserve the Presidium grows vanilla in the shade of the rainforest trees, a few meters above sea level. The orchid Vanilla planifolia has long, thin, flexible climbing stems, with few branches. Mananara vanilla grows up living supports, namely the native forest trees. Once the plants reach human height, they are folded over (bouclage) to encourage the development of flowers along the descending part of the stem. Whereas in Mexico stingless Melipona bees pollinate the flowers, in Madagascar, as in other countries, the flowers are pollinated by hand. Come to Terra Madre Salone del Gusto to discover the #biodiversity of the foods of the world! We look forward to seeing you in Turin from September 20 to 24, but in the meantime check www.salonedelgusto.com for all the latest updates! #terramadre #terramadre2018 #salonedelgusto, #slowfoodpresidia #biodiversity #slowlife #foodforchange #africa #madagascar #mananaravanilla Ph. Oliver Migliore & Marco del Comune