A good Bourbon vanilla pod is supple, plump, deep brownish-black and 15 to 20 cm long. It smells of wood, caramel and white flowers. Avoid pods that are dry, brittle or odourless.
Nathan Laurent selecting the vanilla
What is Bourbon vanilla?
Bourbon vanilla is Vanilla planifolia grown in Madagascar, Réunion and the Comoros. Our pods come from the SAVA region in north-eastern Madagascar. The flowers are pollinated by hand, one by one. The pods are then scalded, sweated, dried and aged for several months in wooden chests.
The 5 signs of a quality pod
| Criterion | What to look for | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Suppleness | The pod bends without breaking and is plump | Hard or brittle pod |
| Appearance | Smooth, slightly oily, glossy skin | Dull, dried-out skin |
| Colour | Deep brownish-black, even | Pale or reddish patches |
| Length | 15 to 20 cm, 18 cm and over for the finest | Very short or damaged pods |
| Aroma | Notes of wood, caramel and white flowers | Faint or musty smell |
Pod, extract, paste or pearls: which to choose?
Pods in a tube
Extract
Paste
Pearls
| Form | Ideal for | Our product |
|---|---|---|
| Whole pod | Custards, ice cream, milk infusions | Bourbon vanilla in a tube |
| Extract | Everyday baking, cakes, drinks | Vanilla extract |
| Paste | Baking, with visible seeds | Vanilla paste 250 g |
| Pearls (caviar) | Desserts with an intense vanilla taste | Vanilla pearls 100 g, award-winning at the Horecatel trade fair |
For gifting, the vanilla gift box contains 2 tubes of pods and 2 extracts.
For professionals
We supply leading pastry chefs, prestigious hotels and restaurants, as well as perfume and cosmetics manufacturers, around the world. Our Pro Area offers pods of 18 cm and over in 100 g and 1 kg packs, paste and pearls in large formats, and extracts concentrated up to 400 g of vanilla per litre.
How to store vanilla?
Keep the pods in their tube or pouch, away from light, air and heat. Don't put them in the fridge: they would dry out. After use, a rinsed and dried pod can still flavour a jar of sugar.
Our vanilla
Bourbon vanilla is the flagship product of Ilanga Nature, a Belgian family business that works directly with its producers in Madagascar. Our vanilla pearls won an award at the Horecatel trade fair in Belgium. All about our Bourbon vanilla