16 December 2013

V is for VANILLA

In my formative years vanilla was an ingredient that the Rawleigh's man sold at the door. He'd come with his basket filled with an assortment of who knows what and my mother would chatter to him and always buy a large bottle of vanilla essence. I suspect it was artificial but it did the trick for her baking needs and especially added some flavour to her Pavlovas and her whipped cream.

Then about six years ago I went on a trip to the Island Kingdom of Tonga and in the far northern group of islands, Va'va'u, I discovered real vanilla growing there. It is grown in a co-operative with a visionary NZ family, and processed, packaged and marketed as Heilala Vanilla. Exported around the world it is a fabulous example of the innovation of Kiwi artisan producers.

Heilala Vanilla beans, sugar, paste and syrup are all in my pantry and I would not be without them. Every morning my husband stews fresh fruit ( apple, rhubarb and berries in season) and brings me a dish accompanied by yogurt and drizzled with Heilala Vanilla Syrup. The sweetest way to start the day!