Vanilla is a native of South and Central America and the Caribbean. Initially, vanilla was mainly used for medicinal or religious purposes, instead of culinary ones.
Today there are 3 main variations of vanilla, each with slightly different characteristics. Tahitian beans produce more of a floral tone, while Indonesian vanilla carries a smoky, woody flavor. Madagascar vanilla plants come from Réunion and Madagascar—islands in the Indian Ocean off the Southeast coast of Africa—and give off the buttery, rich notes.
Vanilla is used in a variety of sweet foods and beverages, particularly chocolate, confections, ice cream, bakery goods, and perfumery.
Mireia’s Singapore Vanilla campaign is growing Vanilla Plants in Singapore and restoration plantation program. Our goal is to plant Vanilla and help the community by planting vegetable plants across Singapore to sustain the food supply for the community, and slow the connected crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.