Omar’s Wild Vanilla Beans (Grade-A)

Omar’s Wild Vanilla Beans come from Omar’s farm, nestled deep in the rolling hills of central Unguja, Zanzibar. The farm is surrounded by hundreds of ancient mango trees and countless coconut palms, creating a lush, vibrant landscape. Reaching Omar’s farm is an adventure in itself. A hike across the hills is required, as the terrain is too rugged for vehicles.

Omar has always dreamed of growing wild vanilla beans, but the plants were once too expensive for him to afford. One day, while exploring old forest ruins, he discovered a wild vanilla plant. From a single cutting, he has now cultivated over 100 thriving vanilla plants. Unlike most commercial farms, Omar’s vanilla grows primarily on mango trees, which he has found provide the ideal support and environment for the vines to flourish. The result is some of the most impressive vanilla plants we have ever seen, producing beans with exceptional aroma, flavour, and oil content.

This year, we were fortunate to purchase Omar’s very first harvest, and we are proud to support him and his family as they continue to perfect their craft. The family learned vanilla processing through YouTube tutorials and has spent years refining their skills. Omar’s son, Saeed, hand-pollinates every single vanilla flower, ensuring that each bean reaches its full potential. This meticulous, hands-on approach guarantees quality at every stage, from blossom to bean.

By purchasing Omar’s vanilla beans, you are directly supporting a small family farm and helping them create a sustainable, ethical model of vanilla production. Unlike the industrial vanilla trade dominated by Madagascar, which often suffers from price manipulation and exploitation, Omar’s farm offers transparency and a farmer-centred approach. Each pod tells a story of care, dedication, and integrity.

Omar’s farm uses traditional cultivation methods, letting the vanilla vines grow naturally along mango trees. These trees provide shade, support, and nutrients that enhance the beans’ flavour and aroma. The family also interplants coconut trees, adding biodiversity to the farm and creating a healthy ecosystem that benefits all the plants.

Tasting Notes: These Grade A vanilla pods are rich and aromatic, with luxurious notes of cacao, praliné, and rum. They are exceptionally oil-rich, making them ideal for culinary uses, baking, desserts, and even high-end flavouring. Each bean embodies the passion and care of Omar’s family, ensuring you receive a product that is truly world-class.

By choosing Omar’s Wild Vanilla Beans, you are not just buying a premium ingredient. You are supporting ethical, small-scale farming and helping preserve traditional vanilla-growing practices in Zanzibar. Every purchase helps Omar and his family continue their journey, perfecting their craft and sharing the extraordinary flavours of their land with the world.