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Orchids

Orchids are extremely beautiful, but there is more to orchids than just their beauty. In fact, did you know that vanilla comes from orchids? Vanilla is one of our most common flavorings these days, and it is derived from orchids in the genus vanilla. Very few people know that our common vanilla actually comes from orchids!

Orchids are also used for cooking. More specifically, the underground tubers of terrestrial orchids are ground up and used for things like salep (a hot beverage) and in salepi dondurma (“fox-testicle ice cream.”) Perfumists also often use the scent of orchids. Of course, in truth, for the most part, orchids are used mainly as decorations, admired for their beauty.

 

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