The fruit of the vanilla orchid is commonly referred to as the vanilla bean. The bean is located inside a protective fleshy pod that can reach a length of 24 centimetres. Both pod and beans are highly aromatic. As the beans ripen, the pod will turn darker and darken and eventually become brow to blackish in colour. When it has reached this stage, you can often scent a typically vanilla pod odour around it. Be patient; it can take up to 9 months for the beans to ripen and it is very important not to remove them prematurely if you want to use them in your kitchen.