Your cart
There are no more items in your cart
Whole Peppercorns & Pods
Never powdered: oxidation destroys flavors in just a few minutes.
Aromatic Intensity
Exceptional spices, selected for their unique aromatic power.
Field Experience
Expeditions directly to producers, in Madagascar as well as in Brazil.
Packaged in France
Receipt, inspection, and packaging in our workshop.
15 years in the field, 5 continents traveled — the first French company to market Brazilian Pompona vanilla, featured on Thalassa on France 3.The full story ›
The Art of Sourcing
A quest for uncompromising excellence"Favoring one origin over another makes no sense to me. Every vanilla has its own unique aromatic strength. Choosing a fine vanilla involves terroir, climate, and above all, the dedicated work of women and men."
I am Arnaud Sion. In 2010, I developed a passion for black gold. From my training in Madagascar to my current expeditions deep in the Brazilian Amazon, my goal remains unchanged: making the exceptional accessible to all.
The Essentials
The spice hunter's curated selection
- On sale!
Out-of-Stock
Ranger Expedition in Brazil
At the heart of the plantations, a perpetual quest for knowledge.It is here, in Brazil, that the heart of our expeditions now beats. Every year, through our "Ranger Expeditions", I travel the dirt roads to help you discover a spice, a flavor, a territory.
But I am not just a simple visitor: I train directly with the producers in Brazil. This is essential to understand the product and be able to explain it to you. Take Coffee for example: although we do not sell it, I became an expert in buying "Specialty Coffee" (that rare designation for coffees rated over 84 points).
Why learn if we don't sell it? Because that is what being a Spice Hunter is all about: mastering the sensory analysis of a fine vintage coffee to better explain to you later the complexity of a Tonka bean or a wild pepper.
Travel Journal — on the roads of Brazil
Teas & Infusions
An invitation to travel
The Spice Hunter's Expertise
Black pepper (Piper Nigrum) is the king of spices. But did you know you should avoid buying pre-ground pepper at all costs? Oxidation destroys its volatile aromas within minutes.
At Le Comptoir de Toamasina, we only sell whole peppercorns of exceptional density — over 30 distinct varieties selected through hands-on field expertise. Our vanilla beans are cured using traditional methods over several months to develop the rich, fragrant notes you look for.
Discover my journey on the Blog ›
Flavor Analysis
30 Peppercorns: A Sensory Overview
Same commitment to whole peppercorns, radically different profiles
Woody · Earthy
Citrusy · Zesty
Heat · Pungency
Madagascar Black Pepper
Voatsiperifery Wild Pepper
Timut Pepper
Culinary Inspirations
Our latest recipes & chef tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Our Vanilla, Pepper & Spices
Which Madagascar vanilla beans should I choose?
Our Gourmet grade vanilla, selected by Arnaud Sion after training with growers in Madagascar, offers plump, oily, and intensely aromatic pods. Our Gold selection features the longest beans (18 to 22 cm) for high-end culinary creations.
Why should I avoid buying pre-ground pepper?
Ground pepper rapidly loses essential oils and flavor compounds due to oxidation. We exclusively sell whole peppercorns so you can grind them fresh and unlock their full aroma right before serving.
How many pepper varieties does Le Comptoir de Toamasina offer?
Our catalog features 30 distinct peppercorns gathered through extensive field sourcing in Madagascar and around the globe: black pepper, wild Voatsiperifery pepper, long pepper, Timut berries, and rare harvests. View full range ›
Do you offer products directly from Brazil?
Yes. Our Brazilian superfoods — Açaí, Acerola, Guarana, and native Brazilian vanilla — are selected firsthand during our Ranger Expeditions. For other origins, our field experience guides our selection process with specialized import partners.
Who is founder Arnaud Sion?
A passionate spice hunter since 2010 who was featured on French national TV (Thalassa), Arnaud Sion has traveled across five continents to learn traditional harvesting techniques directly from local farming communities. Read his story ›
My Office Is My 4x4
From Madagascar Dirt Roads to Amazonian Plantations
It all started back in 2010. A Toyota Hilux took me deep into the countryside to visit my very first vanilla plantation. That journey sparked my lifelong calling as a spice hunter.
Today in Brazil, my Ford Ranger serves as my mobile office. It's the truck I used to source my first batches of wild Tonka beans, and it carries me along remote trails to harvest Açaí, Acerola, Guarana, and Brazilian vanilla.
These expeditions also lead me into pepper fields and vanilla plantations across other countries — not to buy on the spot, but to continuously learn traditional curing techniques and identify exceptional crops when curating lots with our trusted partners.