Difference between revisions of "Vanilla discovery tour"
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| − | '''Whether you're a visiting a national park in the SAVA region or | + | '''Whether you're a visiting tourist to a national park in the SAVA region or happen to be passing through Sambava on business, the de facto world capital of vanilla, a visit to a vanilla plantation and a preparation facility offers a memorable experience from this part of the island.''' |
| − | What | + | What may be seen depends on which activities are ongoing at the time, which changes slightly season to season. Generally, during May and June, harvesting of green vanilla beans happen close to the northwest coast around Sambava, Antalaha, Vohemar as well as further into the countryside. At higher altitudes, around Andapa and in other mountainous regions, harvesting usually takes place in July or August. |
| − | After harvesting, green vanilla beans are traded at market places where vanilla buyers place competing bids with farmers and cooperatives. These markets are regulated | + | After harvesting, green vanilla beans are traded at market places where vanilla buyers place competing bids with farmers and cooperatives. These markets are regulated and a minimum price is set by the government each year, which in 2022 was 75,000 Ar per kilogram of green vanilla. |
| − | The harvests are mostly | + | The harvests are mostly sold to local exporters who manage the curing of the beans; the months-long transformation process of converting green beans into the black pods that are familiar to consumers. |
| − | Througout the transofrmation, the beans are graded and classified in into different | + | Througout the transofrmation, the beans are graded and classified in into different uses: Grade A being Gourmet Quality, Grade B being Extract quality and Grade C that are so-called Cuts & Splits. The classifications are defined by the level of humidity and their suitability for the end-use. |
| − | Low-humidity beans are most suitable for large processing purposes since | + | Low-humidity beans are most suitable for large processing purposes since dryer beans are more ground into powder and mixed into various food products. Grade B, or Extract grade, is a loose definition to describe the vanilla beans that are typically suitable for production of vanilla extracts, while Grade A beans, being gourmet quality, selected in part based on their visual appearance, are the black unsplit pods which consumers that is usually preferred by chefs and anyone cooking or baking at home. |
| − | The above said, all grades can be used in cooking and baking. While grade A may have a stonger scent and better appearance, the | + | The above said, all grades can be used in cooking and baking. While grade A may have a stonger scent and better appearance, the drier Grade B or even C with their low moisture level which lack visual appearance, will however offer greater volume per kilogram, so more vanilla can simply be applied for a more significant vanilla flavour. |
Since a peak price of black vanilla at around USD 500 per kilo in 2018 and 2019, many farmers invested their time in vanilla cultivation. In Madagascar, vanilla is rarely used in cooking and home baking and almost exclusively sold as a cash-crop for export purposes. | Since a peak price of black vanilla at around USD 500 per kilo in 2018 and 2019, many farmers invested their time in vanilla cultivation. In Madagascar, vanilla is rarely used in cooking and home baking and almost exclusively sold as a cash-crop for export purposes. | ||
Vanilla beans grow best in light but shaded conditions. Partly and fully grown green vanilla beans can be seen at many plantations between March and up until harvesting time. | Vanilla beans grow best in light but shaded conditions. Partly and fully grown green vanilla beans can be seen at many plantations between March and up until harvesting time. | ||
Revision as of 03:40, 13 July 2022
Whether you're a visiting tourist to a national park in the SAVA region or happen to be passing through Sambava on business, the de facto world capital of vanilla, a visit to a vanilla plantation and a preparation facility offers a memorable experience from this part of the island.
What may be seen depends on which activities are ongoing at the time, which changes slightly season to season. Generally, during May and June, harvesting of green vanilla beans happen close to the northwest coast around Sambava, Antalaha, Vohemar as well as further into the countryside. At higher altitudes, around Andapa and in other mountainous regions, harvesting usually takes place in July or August.
After harvesting, green vanilla beans are traded at market places where vanilla buyers place competing bids with farmers and cooperatives. These markets are regulated and a minimum price is set by the government each year, which in 2022 was 75,000 Ar per kilogram of green vanilla.
The harvests are mostly sold to local exporters who manage the curing of the beans; the months-long transformation process of converting green beans into the black pods that are familiar to consumers.
Througout the transofrmation, the beans are graded and classified in into different uses: Grade A being Gourmet Quality, Grade B being Extract quality and Grade C that are so-called Cuts & Splits. The classifications are defined by the level of humidity and their suitability for the end-use.
Low-humidity beans are most suitable for large processing purposes since dryer beans are more ground into powder and mixed into various food products. Grade B, or Extract grade, is a loose definition to describe the vanilla beans that are typically suitable for production of vanilla extracts, while Grade A beans, being gourmet quality, selected in part based on their visual appearance, are the black unsplit pods which consumers that is usually preferred by chefs and anyone cooking or baking at home.
The above said, all grades can be used in cooking and baking. While grade A may have a stonger scent and better appearance, the drier Grade B or even C with their low moisture level which lack visual appearance, will however offer greater volume per kilogram, so more vanilla can simply be applied for a more significant vanilla flavour.
Since a peak price of black vanilla at around USD 500 per kilo in 2018 and 2019, many farmers invested their time in vanilla cultivation. In Madagascar, vanilla is rarely used in cooking and home baking and almost exclusively sold as a cash-crop for export purposes.
Vanilla beans grow best in light but shaded conditions. Partly and fully grown green vanilla beans can be seen at many plantations between March and up until harvesting time.
