Vanilla Tour & Process in São Tomé

Discover the fascinating journey of vanilla production in São Tomé, from delicate orchid flowers to aromatic vanilla beans. Organized by French and Italian producers, this guided tour is available in English, French, and Portuguese, offering a deep dive into the traditional methods of vanilla cultivation and processing.

From Flower to Vanilla Bean

Vanilla is grown from the Vanilla planifolia orchid, a climbing vine that thrives in São Tomé’s tropical climate. Since the vanilla flower blooms for just one day, hand pollination is essential to ensure a successful harvest.

The Curing Process

Once harvested, green vanilla beans undergo a meticulous curing process:

• Scalding – The beans are briefly dipped in hot water to stop ripening.
• Sweating – They are wrapped and kept warm, allowing the flavors to develop.
• Drying – Over weeks, beans are sun-dried to achieve the perfect texture.
• Aging – The final step enhances the aroma, making São Tomé’s vanilla one of the finest in the world.

A Unique Sensory Experience

• Visit a small demonstration plantation in the city, where you can observe vanilla vines up close.
• Taste locally made vanilla-infused rum, a specialty of the island.
• Stop by the vanilla shop, where you can purchase high-quality vanilla products, from beans to extracts.

A must-do experience for food lovers and those passionate about natural flavors!

This activity includes:

• Visit of transformation center and Workshop
• Visit of city / indoor plantation
• Vanilla related products tasting

This activity does not include:

• Transportation to place of activity (taxi service available during the check out process)

Note: we recommend to include this activity during the Capital Discovery or the Center Excursion