offerings

Madagascar Vanilla Bean

Madagascar is the world's largest producer of vanilla bourbon. The country's vanilla industry generates hundreds of millions of dollars per year for the impoverished Indian Ocean island nation. In 2008, 80% of the crop was hit by a deadly, incurable fungus. It takes five years for new plants to reach maturity. Derived from the vanilla orchid, it is the world's second most expensive spice (after saffron).