Why Indonesian Vanilla is Better than Madagascar Vanilla? Facts, Buyer Education, and Common Industry Frauds

1. Common Vanilla Species:
   • Vanilla Planifolia (Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico): Most common.
   • Vanilla Tahitensis (Tahitian, Papua): Lighter aroma, ideal for fragrance.
   • Vanilla Pompona: Rare, short but aromatic beans.
2. Vanilla Grades:
   • Grade A (Gourmet): Moisture >30%, flexible, length >14 cm.
   • Grade B (Extraction): Drier, ideal for making vanilla extract.
3. How to Identify High-Quality Vanilla Beans:
   • Soft and bendable (not brittle)
   • Strong natural aroma even before slicing
   • No mold, not overly dry
   • Deep black color (not grey or pale brown)

1. Mixing Grade A with Grade B
   Sellers may blend lower-grade beans to increase weight or profit.
2. Coating Beans with Oil or Glycerin
   Used to make beans appear shinier and heavier—this is fake freshness.
3. Fake Beans (Plastic or Dyed Wood)
   Some counterfeit beans are made of synthetic material to trick new buyers.
4. "Overpriced Madagascar Vanilla" Scam
   Madagascar vanilla often carries a high premium—even if quality is average—due to strong branding.

“I ordered Grade A, but received thin, dry, brittle beans.”
 – Buyer from UAE“Madagascar vanilla is too expensive, but Indonesian suppliers often don’t provide COA.”
 – Buyer from France“The beans were coated in oil to look fresh. It smelled awful during production.”
 – Buyer from Japan

• Sample doesn’t match bulk shipment
• No COA or lab reports provided
• No traceability or origin info
• Inconsistent quality between shipments

• Supplying pure, untreated, and traceable vanilla
• Providing COA, pre-shipment videos, and origin details
• Offering samples and documentation before shipping
• Ensuring quality consistency in every batch