Vanilla

Vanilla in their various forms like vanilla beans, are the fruit of the seductively beautiful Vanilla Orchid. However only one, Vanilla planifolia, produces the seed pods used to produce over 90% of the Vanillas we see in markets today. These highly prized plants are cultivated in tropical climates like Mexico, Tahiti, and Indonesia. However, the vast majority of vanillas used today are grown in Madagascar. To maintain their value and prevent damage to the fruit, vanilla pods must be hand-pollinated and harvested. In some markets and gourmet shops aromatic vanilla beans, and whole saffron, are even keep locked away because of their high value. Lucky for you we don’t require that much security!