Tropical Horticulture - Texas A&M University Origin of Vanilla Vanilla planifolia Early 1800s –Indonesia Mid to late 1800s –Production begins Indonesia Reunion Mauritius Madagascar Seychelles Comoro Islands –Hand pollination showed to increase yields Indigenous to –SE Mexico to Guatemala and Panama Used by the Aztecs –Chocolatl –Tribute to Aztec leader Shipped to Spain in 16th century