How to Harvest Vanilla on a Farm for Sachets

In order to end up with high-quality vanilla beans, you need to harvest and cure your pods at the right time. You should harvest your pods between six and nine months after the plants flower. Once harvested and cured, your beans can be used in sachets. Sachets can be made for cooking, or simply to enjoy the scent of vanilla.

Sharp knife
Bag or basket for pods

Instructions

- 1
  Visit your plants daily, so you can harvest your pods as they ripen. You will see the pods change color from dark green to light green. When the tips of the pods start to get a yellow tinge, the pods are ripe and ready for harvest.
- 2
  Harvest your pods one by one as they become ripe. Avoid harvesting by bunches, also known as "broom harvesting," as this will yield an inferior product.
- 3
  Pick pods once they are ready by applying pressure at the base of the pod and lifting in the reverse direction of growth. Ripe pods detach easily from the stalk. If your pods leave a bit of bean behind them when picked, they are not ready. You can use a sharp knife to help you harvest the pods if you prefer.
- 4
  Cure your pods within one week of harvesting them.

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