Our ‘first’ claim was quoted in the context of commercialised production using artifical supports in greenhouses. Traditionally Vanilla in grown in Tonga on host trees either in the wild or planted on cleared land.

However the key point is that Tongan Vanilla is very highly regarded and has the potential to be a major crop for Tongan families to grow.

I very much enjoy reading your vanilla blog. I want to make a comment regarding the statement that Heilala is the “first commercial vanilla plantation in Vava’u” as that’s not really correct. It may be the first vanilla plantation in Tonga run by a non-Tongan, but Tongans have been commercially growing vanilla in Tonga for decades. I worked with some of the early vanilla cooperatives in the 1990s – prior to that time, most Tongan vanilla was not sold on the specialty market, but was purchased by large spice companies for inclusion in commercial-grade extract.

I agree that Tonga produces great vanilla – there are a number of producers there, and vanilla holds great potential for village-based economic development there. Much as Kona coffee (I live in the middle of Kona coffee country) provides a steady source of income for hundreds of small family farms, Tongan vanilla could do the same for Tongan families.

The beans are fabulous! Made some ice cream with the extract and it was wonderful. Although I usually prefer the Tahitensis there were fruity and had a floral scent.