About-Us

Heilala Vanilla’s origins began in 2002 as an aid project founded by New Zealander, John Ross, and his family.

The Kingdom of Tonga had been ravaged by Cyclone Waka, leaving the Islands and its people shattered in the wake of an exceptionally vicious natural disaster.

Partnering with a local family in the village of Utungake, together they established a small vanilla plantation that robustly grew into the world renowned humanitarian vanilla brand, Heilala Vanilla.

man in the bean crop holding vanilla beans

Heilala Vanilla Comes Straight From The Source

Grown on rich, Pacific soil and dried under the Polynesian sun, the world’s best vanilla is an all natural product of a perfect climate.

With a highly-scientific, unrefined process (cold-pressed, slow-extract), and an artisan work culture of the hard-working local farmers and families, Heilala Vanilla is innovating outdated Vanilla products and production.

Many know orchids to be a delicate, fickle flower, but few realise that Vanilla is a genus of the very same plant, and that beans take 3 to 5 years to grow. Our farmers are dedicated craftsmen, tending to each plant with in-depth wisdom and expertise.

Heilala Vanilla Is Building Tonga’s Legacy

Sustainability is at the heart of Heilala Vanilla’s ‘Reason Why’. This wonderful, award winning Vanilla brand was born from a collaboration between the Ross Family in New Zealand and Tonga, in the wake of the devastating cyclone of 2002.

Heilala Vanilla supports ‘The Tongan Way’ (Anga Fakatonga), with a working culture that is social, family friendly and has given its people a new industry to adopt, supporting the protection of their local lifestyle.

Heilala is building a stable, long-term industry for Tonga, redefining corporate-social responsibility by working with an entire nation to transform their future.

Pink flower and light pink vanilla beans graphic

Heilala Vanilla Is The Good Vanilla

From its distinctive flavour, its humanitarian mission and fair treatment of farmers, Heilala Vanilla makes people feel as good as the product tastes.

Heilala Vanilla is authentic pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla. Complex, rich, and bursting with flavour.

Vanilla is viewed by chefs as the ‘invisible essential’ and Heilala Vanilla’s all natural, 100% pure vanilla can turn a side dish into a show stopper.

Winning numerous awards for its superior quality and flavour, Heilala Vanilla can be used both in cooking delicious dishes, or served straight from the bottle into your coffee, breakfast, cocktails, and more.

Heilala Vanilla Is Chosen By Top Chef’s Worldwide

The World’s most renowned Chefs like the late Gina DePalma (New York), Ken Takayama (California) and Peter Gordon (London) swear by Heilala Vanilla.

“Ingredients make the difference between ordinary and extraordinary and that is why we use quality ingredients such as Heilala Vanilla Beans."
Ken Takayama

“I'm proud to use Heilala Vanilla and I am proud to support their efforts to bring Tonga's vanilla crop to the world."
Gina DePalma

"I love the consistent first rate quality of Heilala Vanilla. The best part is that they have a genuine and beautiful story behind their product, a true partnership with the village of Utungake in Vava’u Tonga.”
Peter Gordon

Heilala Vanilla Is The World’s Most Awarded Vanilla

Receiving glowing recommendations in such credible media entities as Food & Wine, Cherry Bombe, Martha Stewart, The Wall Street Journal and New York Times, Heilala Vanilla has captured the world’s attention in no small measure.

Available in North America, Europe and Australasia, Heilala Vanilla continues to be honored by the food industry and is a globally recognised premium food ingredient brand available directly to its customers, like you.

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Heilala Vanilla Is The World’s Most Awarded Vanilla

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