Bourbon vanilla is the most iconic vanilla in the world. Madagascar produces AOC Bourbon vanilla, a Vanilla planifolia originating from Mexico, offering intense aromatic power and a distinctive chocolatey touch. It is a beautiful, large vanilla bean. Le Comptoir de Toamasina brings you 5 exquisite Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans—shiny, plump, soft, and supple, offering a rich and intense fragrance with cocoa notes, carefully packed in a glass tube.

• Main notes: chocolatey and caramel
• Aromatics: the little princess of pastry, a vanilla bean with intense and deep vanilla notes. A culinary journey with every use
• Size: 14 to 16 cm
• Quality: Gourmet - Extra grade, ensuring a long, patient curing process

As vanilla specialists since 2010, we also manage a test plantation in Brazil to help you discover and understand the world of vanilla and how to cultivate this delicate orchid.

Vanilla planifolia is the variety of vanilla grown in Madagascar and benefits from the AOC Bourbon label, a designation specifically for vanilla from the Indian Ocean. It ranks second globally behind Bahian vanilla in terms of natural vanillin content. The history of Reunion Island (formerly Île Bourbon) gave its name to this variety. This geographical appellation gives it a unique identity and contributes to its immense international fame.

Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans are highly sought after in the culinary world. Purchasing Madagascar Bourbon vanilla in a tube of 5 Gourmet quality beans is an excellent choice for treating yourself to premium vanilla at a reasonable price. On our site, you will discover the most beautiful vanilla beans offering the best value for money. As a bonus, check out our vanilla extract recipe.

Le Comptoir de Toamasina invites you to purchase a captivating vanilla bean with a rich, feminine fragrance—the hallmark of a Prestige vanilla bean. Vanilla is still a spice that is entirely cultivated and prepared by hand. Human touch is required to plant, pollinate, prepare, cure, grade, and package this little princess, much like saffron.

Le Comptoir de Toamasina is committed to uncovering the finest beans for you. On our website, you won't find over-dried red beans; we only offer Gourmet quality beans (Grade A, Extra, Premium). These beans have a moisture content of over 33%, remaining supple, non-split, glossy, and shiny.

When wondering where to find real vanilla, the next question is: what quality should I buy? It's important to know that vanilla is grown in Madagascar in the region stretching from Mananara-Nord to Antalaha. This traditional vanilla is the vanilla of our childhood. Madagascar, the world's leading producer, offers consistent quality. Our Bourbon vanilla holds incredible aromatic power with an intense vanilla note and a touch of cocoa. It's truly magical. The Malagasy soil is incredible for cultivation, just like the Brazilian soil that yields Brazilian vanilla with its unique hint of acidity.

Since 2010, Le Comptoir de Toamasina has been the vanilla specialist in France and Brazil, operating through our Brazilian branch, Abaçai Vanille. We offer only the best natural vanilla, running as a human-scale enterprise. We are also specialists in the import-export of acai powder. Every year, we lead a "ranger" expedition across Brazil to discover new producers, and we are also transitioning into production by cultivating wild Dubia vanilla.

Vanilla is a climbing vine of the orchid family, native to Mexico. The orchid doesn't require much attention, but its pollination certainly does. Edmond Albius discovered that manual pollination of the flower was possible. This essential procedure must be done daily on open flowers, as you have less than 12 hours to fertilize these princesses. After nine months, the pods develop. It is during the last two weeks that the vine infuses the pod with vanillin.

The curing process takes place in 8 steps:

There is no other vanilla bean in the world that possesses the charm and flavor of Madagascar Bourbon vanilla. It begins with warm, intense notes carrying a touch of cocoa, eventually giving way to a long, sweet, and rich vanilla finish. It is a highly flavorful vanilla that takes our taste buds on a journey. We especially love it in sweet recipes.

Arnaud, known as "Arnaud Vanille" in the markets of Lille, was trained in Madagascar in the cultivation, curing, and aging of this princess spice. The creator of Le Comptoir de Toamasina travels the world discovering new plantations to bring you the finest vanilla crus.

The main difference is the AOC (Bourbon) appellation. On the ground, Madagascar vanilla has been cultivated for generations using passed-down family expertise. Most newer producing countries have only been growing it since the 2000s. Today, Le Comptoir de Toamasina's Madagascar Bourbon vanilla is recognized worldwide. We work with top chefs in Brazil and France.

Discover our other vanillas too: Tahiti vanilla, Papua vanilla, Cerrado vanilla.

The 5 Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans in their tube should be kept away from light and severe temperature shocks. How to use: split the bean lengthwise, scrape the inside with the back of a knife to extract the seeds. Steep both the seeds and the empty pod in your milk or cream (10 to 20 minutes without boiling). The empty pod can then be dried to make vanilla sugar. It pairs wonderfully with tonka bean.