One Of The Country's Only Vanilla Farms Is Hidden Right Here In Hawaii
By Megan Shute|Published August 07, 2018
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Most people are surprised to learn that the Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible farms, ranches, and sprawling fields. From macadamia nut and local coffee farms to cattle ranches, organic spirit distilleries, and even honey bee and goat dairy operations, Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible agricultural ventures. And while these farms are all truly one-of-a-kind, this little-known destination stands out in a class all its own. One of the country’s only vanilla farms is found right here in Hawaii, and yes, it is as charming as it sounds.
Nestled on Hawaii Island’s Hamakua Coast and founded in 1998, the Hawaiian Vanilla Company was the first commercial grower of vanilla in the United States.
Home to 20 acres of prized vanilla plants found in greenhouses overlooking the Hamakua Coast, Hawaii Island is one of only a handful of places throughout the world where vanilla can thrive.
Upon arrival at the hard-to-find farm nestled above the tiny town of Paauilo, you will be greeted by a cheery country-lemon yellow building with white trim and green roof. It is as if you’ve been transported to a fairytale world full of sweets.
While we can all agree vanilla is scrumptious, you might not be aware that it is one of the world’s most expensive spices. Why, you ask? Because vanilla is extracted from a specific species of orchid, and the process of raising vanilla orchids, vanilla pollination, and the drying of vanilla pods is a difficult one, to say the least.
A vanilla plant takes several years to achieve its first bloom and then produces just one flower each year. Each flower must be pollinated within 12 hours of blooming — a task only achieved via hand-pollination. If pollination is successful, the flower’s stem transforms over several months into a single seed-filled bean pod, which also must be harvested by hand. Whew — it’s tiring just writing about the process!
The best way to experience the sweetest slice of paradise imaginable for yourself is to book a tour. Farm tours are offered Monday through Friday at 1 p.m., cost $25 per person, and include a welcome beverage of vanilla lemonade or vanilla iced tea, dessert, a presentation, and tour of the farm.
If that’s not enough for you, you can book their exclusive farm tour and luncheon for $48 per person. Starting a half-hour before the regular farm tour, and includes a vanilla-inspired meal featuring gourmet recipes developed onsite.
Your gourmet meal might consist of vanilla bourbon marinated chicken breast on a vanilla sweet bread bun topped with caramelized onions, salad topped with vanilla raspberry balsamic dressing, vanilla honey peppered pecans and feta cheese, and potatoes baked in a southwest vanilla rub. Our mouths are watering just thinking about this divine meal.
Don’t forget to stop by the gallery and gift shop after your tour! From vanilla, coffee, and tea to beauty and culinary products, you’ll find a little bit of everything at the Hawaiian Vanilla Company. Whether you purchase barbecue sauce, pineapple chutney, or waffle mix for your family or lip balm, body butter, or soap for yourself, you won’t be disappointed with the selection found here.
Whether you love all things vanilla or just want to experience something new, the Hawaiian Vanilla Company is worth a visit — especially for their luncheon and farm tour.
The Hawaiian Vanilla Company is located at 43-2007 Paauilo Mauka Rd., Paauilo, HI 96776, and is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are closed Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, head over to their website or follow them on Facebook.
Vanilla isn’t the only product you’ll find on Hawaii Island: there are coffee farms aplenty (the most famous of which is Greenwell), and even a winery!
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