Vanilla Island of Comoros

The Comoros Archipelago is a unique destination. Its variety of fauna and flora, its idyllic, deserted beaches and the heady scents are what make this first stage of your trip to the Vanilla Islands so authentic. In this archipelago nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, land and sea are as one. Discover both exuberant and peaceful nature. Discover the natural wonders: Mount Karthala, Lac Salé as well as observing a turtle egg-laying site, roam the alleys in Moroni towards its medina and be amazed by the kindness of the Comorian people.

Vanilla is the fruit of a plant belonging to the orchid family. Originally from Mexico, it is now cultivated throughout many regions of the world. Traditionally, it is used to enhance desserts, but when used sparingly, it is surprisingly delicious in poultry, fish or seafood dishes. The most popular way to use the bean is to cut along its length then remove the minuscule black seeds and incorporate them directly into a recipe. Keep the empty shell of the bean to use as an infusion in cream or milk-based desserts. To make your own vanilla extract, place four to six beans in a glass of alcohol (we recommend vodka because it’s neutral), store securely, then wait two months before using.

Impact of Vanilla on the People of Comoros Island

Vanilla is the second most expensive spice in the world after saffron. The vanilla, ylang-ylang, and clove sectors together account for 80 percent of Comoros’ exports and employ 45 percent of the archipelago’s workforce – approximately 123,000 people – placing these sectors at the center of the government’s agricultural policy and making their promotion a top priority.

Maesha ya Lavani is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and International Trade Centre (ITC) through a project to improve vanilla, ylang-ylang, and clove exports by improving the technical and operational know-how of Comorians working in these sectors.

Producer’s cooperatives such as Maesha ya Lavani also help promote the production of these commodities in line with international quality standards.

The Improving competitiveness of vanilla, ylang-ylang, and cloves exports of the Comoros project, is supported by financial contributions from the Enhanced Integrated Framework that is focused on using trade for poverty reduction.

Vanilla tours in Comoros

While in Moroni tours can be arranged to the Karthala volcanic area where more of the Vanilla farming is taking place with the rich fertile volcanic soils of the Karthala volcanic area travellers can meet the vanilla farmers and spend several hours touring the vanilla farms and interacting with them for more information Contact Wilderness Explorers Africa.