1 Answer

   Vanilla has both a literal and a figurative meaning. Literally, the term refers to a plant; the seedpod of the plant, which is often referred to as a vanilla bean; vanilla powder, which is produced from grinding the entire bean after it’s been dried; and the bean’s extract or a synthetic imitation which is used to flavor a whole range of culinary products from cakes and cookies to ice cream.

Since 1975, vanilla has been used figuratively to refer to something basic or lacking adornment. This use arises from the fact that this flavor has long been considered the standard and basic ice cream choice, among the many and varied flavors offered. The term "plain vanilla" has come to be used in business to describe a type of security that does not have special features.

Vanilla is the genus name of a group of tropical vines that are in the orchid family and grow in the Americas. The word comes from the Spanish vainilla and refers to the shape of the plants’ seedpods. The seedpods have been used for flavoring food for many years: in pre-Columbian times, Aztecs employed it in making chocolate. Today, the particular plant that is are used for commercial preparation is often Vanilla planifolia.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-vanilla.htm#lbimages

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla