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Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans: The World's Gold Standard of Vanilla

Shawn Gavin August 04, 2024

How Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans Became The World's Most Popular Vanilla

Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans are often hailed as the number one choice in vanilla, due to their rich flavor, aromatic qualities, ample production, and consistent quality. Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans originate from the island of Madagascar and are of the vanilla orchid species, Vanilla planifolia.

Other vanilla growing countries such as Réunion, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles are also collectively known as the Bourbon Islands. So when you hear the term Bourbon vanilla, it is a reference to a certain geographical region and not a liquor.

The Origin of Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla

Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans come from the Vanilla planifolia orchid, a species native to Mexico. Despite the orchid's origins, though, Madagascar is now the leading producer of vanilla in the world, accounting for approximately 80% of the global supply.

The island's unique climate and soil conditions contribute to the exceptional quality of its vanilla beans. Vanilla was first brought to the island of Madagascar around the early 19th century. After the discovery and introduction of hand pollination, Madagascar's production of vanilla quickly grew to become the world's dominate supplier of vanilla beans worldwide.

Unique Characteristics of the Vanilla Planifolia Orchid

The Vanilla planifolia species is renowned for producing vanilla beans with a high vanillin content, which is the compound responsible for the characteristic vanilla flavor. Vanilla orchids need to be meticulously hand-pollinated to ensure a successful yield, as natural pollinators are absent outside of Mexico. This manual process is labor-intensive but essential for the production of these premium beans.

Vanilla planifolia is flat leaf flowering orchid. This orchid species is a climbing vine, capable of growing quite long. The vines, left untrained or looped, can reach lengths of over 10 meters (about 33 feet)! They use aerial roots to anchor to trees and other structures in its natural habitat. The leaves of a Vanilla planifolia orchid differ from vanilla Tahitensis (Tahitian Vanilla), in that they are longer and narrowly elliptical, whereas Vanilla tahitensis leaves are shorter, broader, and more oval.

Harvesting and Curing Process of Bourbon Vanilla Beans

The process of growing and curing vanilla beans is time consuming, the vanilla vines are grown using agroforestry (natural forestry for shading and health of the vanilla vines). Villages maintain the vines with other plants by hand on a routine basis. Meticulous attention to detail is taken as a loss in crop can affect the entire village's yearly income and members of the village work jointly in the cycle of vine-to-bean maturity.

After hand-pollinating the vanilla orchids, it takes about nine months for the pods to mature. Once harvested, the beans undergo a curing process that includes blanching, sweating, drying, and conditioning. This process can take several months but is crucial in developing the Bourbon vanilla beans' full flavor profile.

Why Choose Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans?

Superior Flavor and Aroma

The flavor and aroma of Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans are unmatched. The beans' high vanillin content ensures a deep and rich flavor, making them the preferred choice for chefs and bakers worldwide. Their sweet and creamy notes complement a wide range of dishes, from desserts to savory sauces.

Versatility in Culinary Applications

Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans are incredibly versatile, making them suitable for various culinary applications. Here are some popular uses for Bourbon vanilla beans:

Baking
Enhance the flavor of cakes, cookies, and pastries by using the seeds or extract from Madagascar vanilla beans.
Custards and Ice Creams
Add a luxurious taste to custards, ice creams, and other creamy desserts.
Savory Dishes
Balance flavors in savory dishes like seafood sauces, vinaigrettes, and marinades.
Beverages
Infuse vanilla into coffee, cocktails, or homemade syrups for an aromatic twist.

Bourbon vanilla beans are premium ingredient for artisanal products. For those in the business of creating artisanal food products, using Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans can set your offerings apart. Their superior quality enhances the overall product, whether it’s small-batch ice cream, handmade chocolates, or gourmet baked goods.

How to Use Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans

Preparing Vanilla Beans: Using Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans is simple, but there are a few techniques to maximize their flavor:

Slitting the Bean: Use a sharp knife to carefully slit the bean lengthwise, exposing the flavorful seeds inside.
Scraping the Seeds: Gently scrape out the seeds with the back of the knife. These seeds can be added directly to your recipe.
Infusing: For liquid recipes, you can infuse the whole bean in the liquid, allowing it to simmer and release its flavor.

Storing Vanilla Beans

Proper storage is essential to maintain the quality of your vanilla beans:

Airtight Container: Store vanilla beans in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
Cool, Dark Place: Keep the container in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat.
Avoid Refrigeration: Refrigeration can cause the beans to develop mold and increases microbial development on the vanilla pod due to cool and moisture rich environment created in refrigeration.

The Global Impact of Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans and Supporting Sustainable Farming Practices

Madagascar's vanilla industry plays a significant role in the country's economy. The vanilla economy as it is now produces up to 20-25 percent of the country's economic activity. This estimate is supported by a variety publicly available data including, news articles, economic research, trade and market reports, and government and NGO reports.

Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans provide livelihoods for thousands of farmers, families, and Madagascan people. By choosing sustainably sourced vanilla beans, you are supporting ethical spices, farming practices that contribute to environmental conservation and the welfare of local communities. Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans are truly a unique product that is truly the gold standard for vanilla world wide.

Peruse our selection of ethically sourced Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans and vanilla bean products here.