Vanilla pods are not ready to be consumed upon harvesting, first, they undergo a drying and fermentation process, referred to as curing. You will need to alternate the pods between “sweating” and “sunning” for a few weeks. To sweat the pods lay them underneath a blanket or piece of cotton. Then, every day, place them on a flat tray under the sun for approximately three hours. When they are properly dried, you will need to store them in a dry, dark place for about three months to finish curing.