Behind Norohy Vanilla

Norohy Vanilla – Keylink WP

Flower to Pod: The Art and Rarity of Norohy Vanilla

Few ingredients are as captivating, or as painstakingly crafted as genuine vanilla. From the fleeting bloom of its orchid flower to the long, slow journey into a fragrant, glossy pod, every stage is an act of patience, skill, and respect for nature.

At Norohy, that journey takes place in the lush, humid forests of North-East Madagascar, where vines climb high, the air is heavy with green fragrance, and each vanilla pod begins its life as a single, hand-pollinated blossom.

By Lucie Winship

7 October 2025

Vanilla blog

What Makes Norohy Vanilla Special

Norohy works directly with farming communities in the Mananara/ Maroantsetra regions of Madagascar, sourcing only organic beans with full traceability.

This isn’t just about flavour. By packaging the vanilla on-site rather than shipping it elsewhere, more value stays in the local economy. Farmers are paid fairly, biodiversity is protected, and local infrastructure, from schools to bridges, receives ongoing investment.

For chefs, bakers, and home cooks, that means you’re not just buying a pod, you’re supporting a community and a landscape, while enjoying one of the finest natural flavours on earth.

Did You Know…?

  • Vanilla is an orchid, not a bean. Its scientific name is Vanilla planifolia.
  • Each flower lasts only one day and outside its native home, Mexico, it relies entirely on hand-pollination.
  • It takes 8-9 months for a pollinated flower to develop into a mature pod ready for harvest.
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From Flower to Pod: The Farming Process

1. Encouraging Flowering

Through careful management of sunlight, shade, and water, growers stimulate the vines to produce blossoms. After several months, clusters of delicate, ivory-coloured orchid flowers emerge.

2. Precision in Hand-Pollination

Each flower opens for only a few hours. Within this narrow window, skilled growers manually pollinate the blooms using a fine tool, traditionally a sharpened thorn, to delicately press the reproductive structures together. This meticulous process ensures the development of a pod.

3. Pod Development

Following pollination, the pods require eight to nine months to reach maturity. During this period, they gradually lengthen, changing from bright green to a paler hue, before showing a subtle yellowing at the tip that signals readiness for harvest.

4. Selective Harvesting

Pods ripen at different rates, requiring growers to inspect the vines repeatedly. Each pod is harvested individually at its optimal stage to safeguard quality.

5. Arresting Growth & Initiating Flavour

Freshly harvested pods are immersed briefly in hot water, a process known as scalding, which halts vegetative growth. They are then wrapped and stored in insulated boxes for around 48 hours, where enzymatic reactions begin to unlock their distinctive aroma.

6. Controlled Drying

Over the following one to two months, the pods are carefully dried, exposed to sunlight by day and stored in wooden boxes overnight. This balance of sun and shade preserves the beans’ integrity while intensifying their fragrance.

7. Maturation

Once dried, the pods are transferred to wooden trunks, where they mature for a further four to five months. This stage allows the complex bouquet of flavours and aromas to fully develop.

8. Grading & Packaging

At the final stage, pods are assessed for quality. The most supple, glossy, and aromatic beans are classified as “gourmet black” vanilla. Each is measured with precision, tied into bundles, and vacuum-sealed in Madagascar, ensuring that the pods reach kitchens worldwide in perfect condition.

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Why Madagascar Vanilla Stands Out

 

Madagascar Vanilla (Planifolia)

Appearance

Long, slender pods

Flavour Profile

Rich, warm, creamy with hints of rum and raisin

Vanillin Content

High, giving strong, classic vanilla aroma

Rarity

Widely grown

How to Spot a Good Vanilla Pod

  • Colour & Sheen – Deep black, glossy pods indicate freshness.
  • Length – Gourmet Madagascar beans are typically 16–23 cm.
  • Flexibility – A fresh pod bends easily and can be tied in a knot without breaking.
  • Aroma – Strong, complex, and persistent.
  • Vanillin Crystals – White “frosting” is a sign of high quality and intense flavour.
  • Packaging – Vacuum-sealed or in sealed tubes, ideally packed at source for maximum freshness.
Gousses fendues Mada Cherrystone HD -1

Why It Matters

Vanilla is more than a flavouring, it’s a story of people, place, and patience. Each Norohy pod carries with it months of careful tending, the skill of growers, and the distinctive taste of its terroir.

So, whether you’re making a rich crème brûlée, or crafting show-stopping patisserie, using Norohy vanilla means every spoonful carries a little bit of Madagascar’s magic.

Lucie is a marketing executive with a love for cats, baking, board games and trading card games.

Her favourite chocolate is Valrhona Manjari 64% Grand Cru Dark Chocolate.