The culture of vanilla in Madagascar: A journey to the heart of the plantations

Welcome to Vanillia's blog! Today, we are going to discover together how Madagascar vanilla grows. Get ready for a fascinating journey through the plantations of this exotic island, where Bourbon vanilla, one of the most prized varieties in the world, comes to life. Put on your boots and straw hat, let's go!

The Beginning of the Adventure: The Plantation

It all starts with the planting of the vanilla orchid, scientifically known as Vanilla planifolia. This climbing plant, originally from Mexico, has found an ideal terroir in Madagascar thanks to its warm and humid tropical climate. The young vanilla plants are carefully selected and planted in shaded plots, as the orchid prefers filtered light to thrive.

Staking: An Essential Support

Vanilla is a vine that can reach several meters in length. To allow it to climb, stakes, often trees or wooden poles, are used. These stakes enable the plant to grow vertically and facilitate access to the pods during harvest. Growers must ensure that the plant has enough space and support to grow healthily.

Manual Pollination: An Art and a Necessity

One of the most fascinating aspects of vanilla cultivation is manual pollination. Outside its natural habitat in Mexico, vanilla cannot rely on its natural pollinators. This is where human ingenuity comes into play.

Each vanilla flower, which blooms only one day a year, must be pollinated by hand. Growers use a delicate but effective technique discovered by Edmond Albius, a young slave from Reunion Island, in 1841. With a thorn or needle, they gently lift the membrane separating the male and female organs of the flower and press them together to transfer the pollen. This meticulous operation is crucial for the flower to transform into a pod.

Pod Maturation: Patience and Care

After pollination, vanilla pods take about nine months to mature. During this period, they change from green to yellow. Growers must be attentive and patient, as harvesting should only be done at full maturity to ensure the best quality vanilla.

The pods are harvested one by one, by hand, with great care to avoid damaging them. At this stage, the pods do not yet reveal their enchanting aroma. It is only after a long transformation process that the magic happens.

The cultivation of vanilla in Madagascar is an ancestral art that requires exceptional know-how and unwavering dedication. From planting to processing, each step is crucial to produce Madagascar bourbon vanilla, recognized as one of the best in the world.

We hope that this journey to the heart of the vanilla plantations has allowed you to better understand where this precious spice comes from and all the care that is given to it. At Vanillia, we are proud to share this treasure of nature with you and to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Thank you for accompanying us on this exploration. Feel free to browse our site to discover our products and our commitments to the planet. Bon appétit and see you soon on Vanillia!