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What if vanilla had found a new home, far from the tropics ?
In Brittany, a handful of passionate market gardeners have taken on a challenge that no one had dared to imagine: growing this delicate orchid in a greenhouse, just a stone’s throw from the sea. After five years of collaboration, sharing and expertise, this venture has become a reality, and has a name:
It all began in late 2019, in the minds of few growers based in the Côtes-d’Armor. Always on the lookout for new ways to diversify, far from Madagascar, Tahiti or Peru, they envisaged growing vanilla in their existing greenhouses.
Supported by their cooperative, Les Maraîchers d’Armor, and by Terre d’essais, the sector’s experimental station, the growers from Prince de Bretagne took on the challenge of producing a Breton vanilla that was both ethically sourced and of the highest quality.
It took five years of experimentation to adapt a plant accustomed to tropical heat and humidity, and to recreate, in the greenhouse, the conditions necessary for it to thrive. The first harvest, in 2024, lived up to all expectations: a brown, plump pod, rich in vanillin and deliciously fragrant.
Cultivating vanilla in Brittany is a labour of precision: in a greenhouse, within a tropical microclimate recreated in the heart of Brittany, every stage requires patience and care. Everything is done by hand: from pollination, flower by flower, to massaging the pods to ensure the seeds are evenly distributed.
This highly precise craftsmanship has given rise to a new generation of ‘Vanilla Masters’, who are meticulous and attuned to the plant.
It takes more than eighteen months from pollination to market for the pod’s full richness to be revealed. Then comes the moment of reward: a plump, glossy pod with aromas of rare depth, blending powdery, woody and indulgent notes — a Breton signature as unexpected as it is precious.
True to its ‘soft and indulgent’ signature, Vanille de Bretagne captivates with its powdery, enveloping notes, enhanced by woody undertones and a hint of balsamic. A rounded, warm flavour profile, perfect for pastries as well as ice creams, custards and desserts where vanilla takes centre stage.
Local, ethically sourced and grown with respect for an exceptional terroir, Vanille de Bretagne embodies a particular vision of innovation: one that combines boldness, tradition and artisanal expertise. Proof, if any were needed, that the finest flavours sometimes emerge where you least expect them.
Last year, the Prova Gourmet teams gathered in Brittany alongside the brand’s ambassador chefs.
It was a wonderful opportunity to discover Breton vanilla and to talk directly with the producers about their expertise.
In the greenhouses, the teams were able to follow the various stages, from the green pod to the mature bean, and gain a better understanding of the history and distinctive characteristics of this vanilla produced in Brittany.
Discover our Brittany Vanilla, a local gem from Prince de Bretagne.
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