Vanilla

7 years for a pod

Mauritian vanilla production is a true art that requires patience, passion, and expertise. Each step of the process is crucial to achieving an exceptional product, reflecting the richness of the Mauritian terroir and the excellence of traditional production techniques.

Mauritian vanilla is a product of excellence recognized worldwide, the latter involves a meticulous and precise process that extends over 7 years.

Epiphyte:Vanilla is an orchid that grows primarily on a stake, a wood native to Mauritius. Our vanilla plantation is organic and requires a lot of attention.

We grow vanilla Planifolia, one of the most well-known varieties of vanilla.The first flower appears after 5 years.

Here are the 7 key steps of this traditional know-how.
Each step is crucial and must be executed with expert precision.

1. Ground preparation and planting

Select a rich, well-drained soil, ideally at altitude and sheltered from strong winds.
Installation of stakes, generally made of filao wood, to support the vanilla vines.
Planting vanilla cuttings, spaced about 1 meter apart, at the start of the rainy season.

2. Hand pollination

Artificial pollination is essential for the production of vanilla beans.
This delicate step is carried out manually, flower by flower, over a short period of a few hours each morning.
An experienced pollinator uses a specific tool to transfer pollen from the male to the stigma of the female flower.

3. Growth and maturation of pods

After successful pollination, vanilla pods grow on vines for about 9 months.
During this period, regular monitoring is necessary to ensure their proper development and protect them from diseases and parasites.

4. Selective harvesting of pods

The vanilla pod harvest begins when the tips turn yellow and give off an intense aroma.
The ripe pods are picked by hand, one by one, with care so as not to damage them.

5. Scalding and drying the vanilla

Freshly harvested pods undergo a scalding process in hot water to stop their maturation and kill insect larvae.
Then they are dried in the sun on racks for several weeks, regularly exposing them to air and shade.

6. Refining and packaging period

The dried pods are tightly packed in wooden or glass boxes for a curing period that can last several months or even years.
During this period, the pods develop their complex and characteristic aroma.

7. Quality control and export

Mauritian vanilla is subject to rigorous quality controls to ensure that it meets standards of excellence.
The pods meeting the quality criteria are then packaged and exported to the four corners of the world, where they are appreciated by gourmets and chefs for their unique and refined flavor.