Agricultural History

A traditional Totonac vanilla farmer in authentic period clothing hand-pollinating vanilla orchid flowers against a misty Mexican rainforest backdrop

The History and Origins of Vanilla – A Journey Through Time

05/31/2025 By Vainilla D' La Rosa

Long before vanilla captivated the world's palates, this extraordinary orchid flourished in the ancient forests of Mesoamerica. The compelling history of vanilla begins with the Totonac people of eastern Mexico,…

Foreground features a respected village elder teaching the traditional hand-pollination technique to a young child, using a small wooden stick to pollinate a vanilla orchid flower at dawn, illustrating knowledge transmission.

Bourbon Vanilla – A Cultural and Identity Treasure of Madagascar

05/28/2025 By Vainilla D' La Rosa

Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar largely transcends its status as a prestigious spice to become deeply embedded in the cultural identity and history of the Great Island. This aromatic treasure tells…