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This is the sleepy history of Vanilla, narrated by Jessica Gersel, written by Joe Steer.

Of all the spices eaten around the world, few are as famed as vanilla.

A staple of ice cream, cakes and confections,

vanilla was long associated with richness and indulgence.

And the history and production of this spice are both incredibly complex.

It's somewhat ironic that its name has come to describe the plain and ordinary,

because, as you'll very soon learn, the story of vanilla is anything but.

So, just relax and let your mind drift as we explore the sleepy history of Vanilla. Our story begins on the east coast of Mexico, in what today is known as the Port City of Veracruz.

Back in the 1400s, this region was dominated by the Totonac people.

One of the early Mesoamerican civilizations, they were indigenous to the area.

The Totenac built vast stone cities throughout the coastal region, similar in style to those built by the Maya or Aztecs.

The ancient ruins of their temples and palaces still stand today, attracting tourists and archaeologists alike.

Sadly, the Totonac don't enjoy quite the same legacy as the Maya or the Aztecs,

appearing somewhat forgotten in comparison. But they do have one important claim

to fame. They were the first people in the world to cultivate vanilla. They were cultivating it as far back as the

late 1100s, if not earlier, and used its scent in temples and amulets.

Farmed from the pots of native vanilla orchids and given time to cure before use,

it's clear that this spice was highly valued in the Totenac culture.

Legend has it that the first vanilla orchid grew upon the burial site of Princess Morning

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