In Madagascar, the curing process is similar to that of Mexico with one slight difference the farmers initiate the curing process by immersing the green vanilla beans in hot water for a short time. Combined with the hot, humid climate and rich soil, hand pollination by the country’s skilled and patient farmers has enabled Madagascar to become the world’s top vanilla producer in both quantity and quality.

Growers could choose the best flowers and properly space them out on the vine, resulting in a healthier and higher quality vanilla pod. In 1841, Edmond Albius of Réunion developed an efficient method for fertilizing vanilla flowers by hand.Įventually, hand pollination was perfected on a commercial scale. It wasn’t until 1836 that Charles Morren, a Belgian botanist, discovered the link between the bee and the plant’s pollination. Without the Melipona bee, vanilla’s indigenous pollinator in Mexico, the flowers were only occasionally pollinated by local insects. The vines grew successfully with beautiful blossoms but seldom resulted in vanilla pods. For almost 50 years after its arrival at Réunion, the growth and production of vanilla was difficult. Hence, when we refer to Madagascar Bourbon, we’re referring to the region and not to the liquor.Īround 1793, a vanilla vine was smuggled from Mexico to the Bourbon Island of Réunion. Located just east of the southern portion of Africa, the area known as the Bourbon Islands includes the islands of Réunion, Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoro and Seychelles.

16 oz pure vanilla extract