Vanilla bean plants are climbing vines that prefer high humidity, hot temperatures, and bright, indirect sunlight. Vanilla grows best with regular rain and an average temperature of 27°C; cooler temperatures slow down the growing process; however, flowering requires a brief time of dryness. Providing the perfect environment for vanilla is one of the reasons it’s challenging to grow.

When the vanilla pods are green and the ends begin to turn yellow, they are harvested – After they flower and have been pollinated, of course. Mireia only harvests once they are eight months and older to ensure the vanilla is plump and will produce only the most delicate gourmet vanilla. They are then inspected and graded before being bleached in hot water after being gathered by hand. After that, the vanilla pods are put in containers and left to sweat for anywhere from 36 to 48 hours before being dried. Next, they are exposed to the sun during the day and sweat at night for a period of five to fifteen days. After that, the pods are brought inside and dried for up to a month.  It takes experience to tell when they’re at their optimum, and it can take two to four years to complete the entire growing and harvesting process.