What's cooking...?

Welcome to the world of LittlePod

"Is there vanilla sponge still for tea?"

Here at LittlePod there is always vanilla sponge for tea. We love the world’s favourite flavour and source the best vanilla.

LittlePod is not just about vanilla. We also source other ingredients from the rainforest and our extracts of coffee, chocolate and vanilla make for perfect flavour partners in the kitchen.

Our innovative natural vanilla paste in a tube makes it easier than ever to use real vanilla every day! However after a decade of dedication we now sell our own single-estate vanilla pods directly from the LittlePod orchard as well.

Just let me shop

If you choose to use real vanilla then you will make a difference to our world.

LittlePod launched in 2010 with our Campaign for Real Vanilla. Why? Because the consensus was that we could lose real vanilla within a generation if we didn’t act immediately.

In the West, 97% of all vanillin used is artificial. LittlePod was launched to educate consumers and encourage vanilla farmers to keep producing real vanilla thereby helping to regenerate the fragile rainforests, to the benefit of us all.

How does vanilla help
the environment?

Join our Campaign for Real Vanilla

Our latest real vanilla recipes! The Peter Gorton collection...

Roasted Chicken Breast with a Vanilla Rub, Peach, Chilli and Mango Salsa

Poached Pears in Filo Pastry, filled with Amaretti and a Caramel Coffee Sauce

Grilled Corn and Pineapple Salad with a Vanilla and Lime Dressing

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Cider Vanilla Pepper Glaze

Lightly Spiced Cauliflower Rice

Lemon Vanilla Curd Cake

Roasted Salmon with Coconut Milk, Vanilla and Tomatoes

Honey Mousse with Port Jelly and Fresh Strawberries

Galette of Scallops and Courgettes with a Red Pepper, Chocolate and Vanilla Dressing

Twice-Baked Goats Cheese and Vanilla Soufflés with Seasonal Leaves and a Tomato Vinaigrette

Tempt me
with more

We are a glocal company, with littlePodders all over the world... as these stories show.

The place, the people – it’s just the perfect fit. I love Japan!

LittlePod at the lodge – keeping it REAL at our Himalayan outpost!

The vanilla farmers need us to keep it REAL..!

Congratulations Irine! Raising a toast to the vanilla farmer’s daughter…

From home bakers to Michelin-starred chefs – LittlePod in Los Angeles!

Visiting the vanilla farmers? Everything we’d ever imagined and more…

LittlePod goes global – our international expansion…!

Sharing shortbread and stories – a wonderful weekend in Stuttgart!

LittlePod in Hong Kong: Meet Frances Ma

Start spreading the news – an award in New York!

Take a real cup of love at Dianne’s in Trinidad

Like to meet the
LittlePod team?

What news? Get all the
latest from LittlePod HQ

"Convenience, quality and affordability combined … it’s a no brainer."

Jamie Raftery, The Holistic Chef

Lovely things
people have said

Get all the latest from LittlePod...!

Delighted to be supporting the arts in East Devon..!

We're helping the FSA celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2024

In beautiful Bali, our vanilla farmers have been busy!

Made's latest update from the LittlePod orchard in Indonesia

Lightly Spiced Cauliflower Rice

Springtime treats don't have to be unhealthy! Our recipe of the month

Keeping it REAL at college: We love LittlePod!

Paul meets the teacher educating the next generation of top chefs

@littlepod on Instagram

We’ve just had a special visitor...

What a pleasure it was to welcome Dr Made Setiawan – our original vanilla farmer – back to LittlePod HQ this afternoon!

#littlepod #campaignforrealvanilla 🌏

What do YOU love about LittlePod’s natural vanilla paste...?

Frances Ma – our long-standing distributor and representative in Hong Kong – says, “This is a product that resonates with consumers in the Far East because it is of such high quality. It is convenient to use. The tube has a cool, clean and elegant design. It is simple, yet it is natural and real. That is the most important part.

“Everyone at LittlePod is so passionate about their products and this makes people feel personally connected. This isn’t just another product from off the shelf. It’s the human effect. It’s how we can all connect through our shared love of REAL vanilla, both in Hong Kong and beyond. This is what LittlePod does so well.”

Like to find out more about Frances and her exciting plans to introduce our Campaign for Real Vanilla to a new generation of LittlePodders in China? Be sure to keep following for a full feature and in-depth interview on our website.

Do YOU use LittlePod’s natural vanilla paste...?

Please do drop us a line and tell us why!

Tag @little_pod in your posts, reels and stories, leave us a comment, send us a message and use our hashtag #CampaignForRealVanilla 🙏

📸 : Great Food & Drink Campaign / Sam Spicer Photography.

#littlepod #natural #ethical #sustainable #responsiblysourced #vanilla #realvanilla #vanillapaste #vanillabeanpaste #hongkong #china #japan #fareast #food #foodies #cooks #chefs #foodservice #foodmanufacturer #ingredients #ingredientsmatter #quality #convenience #kitchen #foodshows #keepitreal #campaignforrealvanilla

DYK that, after pollination, the seed pods of the vanilla orchid must remain on the vine for at least nine months...?

Once they’ve grown in length, it is best to harvest them before the seeds are too ripe. It is at this point that the real work begins, with a time-consuming four-stage curing process to complete as follows:

1) Killing. This is done by immersing the vanilla pod in hot water or using the sun. During this initial stage, an important enzymatic process begins, promoting flavour.

2) Sweating. The pods are wrapped in paper or sacking in boxes. To prevent too much moisture building up, the pods must be unwrapped every few hours.

3) Drying. It isn’t until five months into the curing process that the important glucovanillin / vanillin components begin to emerge strongly.

4) Conditioning. The pods must be stored out of sunlight for several months. During the curing process, the pods reduce by 25-30% of their original size. This is when flavour is achieved.

Farmers often fear leaving their pods around for too long in case of theft and there is sometimes a temptation to get on with the process too quickly. It is important to offer the farmers a good price for their crop as an incentive to not cut corners.

Like to find out more about REAL vanilla and the processes involved in its production? Please do feel free to DM and be sure to keep following @little_pod and our #CampaignForRealVanilla for all the latest updates from our pioneering plantation in Indonesia.

#littlepod #natural #ethical #sustainable #responsiblysourced #vanilla #vanillapod #vanillabean #vanillapaste #vanillafarming #sustainablefarming #sustainablefood #ingredients #ingredientsmatter #bali #indonesia #keepitreal #campaignforrealvanilla 🌏

What do YOU love about LittlePod’s natural vanilla paste...?

Trained in classic Cordon Bleu cuisine and catering for high-end clients in London and beyond, Annabel Heron from Cucumber Food Design says, “We find ourselves using LittlePod’s first-class vanilla paste and extracts almost daily for our discerning clients, who rave about the food and demand to know what we’ve done differently.

“We are pleased to support socially-responsible companies like LittlePod, whose products are unparalleled in quality, and with unbelievable flavour.”

Here at LittlePod, we send our thanks to Annabel and to all those who continue to use our products and choose to keep it REAL...!

Do YOU use LittlePod’s natural vanilla paste...?

Please do drop us a line and tell us why!

Tag @little_pod in your posts, reels and stories, leave us a comment, send us a message and use our hashtag #CampaignForRealVanilla 🙏

📸 : Great Food & Drink Campaign / Sam Spicer Photography.

#littlepod #natural #ethical #sustainable #responsiblysourced #vanilla #realvanilla #vanillapaste #vanillabeanpaste #catering #cateringservice #foodservice #chef #chefs #chefstalk #privatechef #privatecheflondon #cordonbleu #london #londonfood #annabelheron #cucumberfooddesign #finedining #ingredients #quality #food #foodies #ingredients #keepitreal #campaignforrealvanilla 👩‍🍳

This Sunday, April 21st, the LittlePod team will have something to celebrate...

For one thing, it’ll be National Tea Day, an occasion that we were sure to include when we compiled our 2024 calendar.

For another, it’ll be 12 months to the day since we broke the news that LittlePod had been named amongst the first ever winners of the King’s Award for Enterprise (Sustainable Development).

For the team here in East Devon, it was a red letter day, which we toasted with tea, poured from Janet’s special David Leach tea set. This weekend, we’ll be certain to partake once more.

Tea parties have long been a tradition here...

Last May, we marked the Coronation in true LittlePod style, with summer tartlets, strawberry-and-ginger trifle and homemade vanilla ice cream, whilst in 2020, we launched International Real Vanilla Day right here on our lawn (pictured), with tea and cakes (of course).

Six months ago tomorrow, when we said farewell to Made and Ketut and prepared to head back from Bali, we did so over a delicious pot of tea in Ubud...

There have been countless other occasions since LittlePod launched in 2010 – and we look forward to adding one more this weekend.

Will YOU be celebrating National Tea Day...?

Send us a snap, share a recipe or give us YOUR tips for the perfect tea party!

Have a great weekend, keep it REAL and please continue to tag @little_pod in all your posts, reels and stories.

#littlepod #afternoontea #afternoonteatime #tea #teatime #teaparty #teapartytime #tradition #traditions #cakes #sandwiches #celebrate #celebration #nationalteaday #kingsaward #kingsawards #sustainabledevelopment #natural #ethical #sustainable #responsiblysourced #vanilla #realvanilla #keepitreal #happyweekend #campaignforrealvanilla 🫖

What do YOU love about LittlePod’s natural vanilla paste...?

Lulu – @lulusprimrosebakery – says, “I just wanted to let you know how amazing your natural vanilla paste is. Since discovering LittlePod vanilla, I’ve found that it really elevates my desserts and takes them to a whole new level. I always like to use locally-sourced ingredients as much as I can and it was great to discover that you’re also based in Devon too!”

From the team here at LittlePod HQ, we’re sending vanilla hugs and our thanks to Lulu, whose luxurious wedding cakes are always REAL and @rockmywedding-recommended. Not following @lulusprimrosebakery? Please be sure to do so!

Do YOU use LittlePod’s natural vanilla paste...?

Please drop us a line and tell us why!

Tag @little_pod in your posts, reels and stories, leave us a comment, send us a message and use our hashtag #CampaignForRealVanilla 🥰

#littlepod #natural #ethical #responsiblysourced #vanilla #realvanilla #naturalvanilla #naturalvanillapaste #vanillabeanpaste #baking #ingredients #weddingcake #weddingcakes #cake #cakes #bake #baker #ingredientsmatter #keepitreal #campaignforrealvanilla 🙏

“Having researched the methods that are used by the indigenous rainforest communities in Mexico and Costa Rica, I suggested to LittlePod that we should replicate this in order to grow vanilla in Bali. Janet agreed and LittlePod began funding our community-based orchard.

“This system of polyculture relies on preserving the rainforest, using existing cacao, coffee and tropical fruit trees to support the vanilla vines, whilst mimicking the natural forest ecology. LittlePod’s orchard has pioneered the idea that vanilla cultivation can ensure the farmers have multi-faceted income streams, whilst preserving and restoring biodiversity in Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia, contrary to the common agricultural practice of monoculture.

“The LittlePod orchard has shown that cultivating vanilla can generate a crucial income for farmers, whilst also restoring and preserving local biodiversity. Through LittlePod’s funding and support, vanilla can be a viable crop, playing a crucial role in land conservation and forest regeneration. LittlePod is one of the few companies to succeed in connecting real growers to the global market.”

– Dr Made Setiawan, LittlePod’s vanilla farmer.

#littlepod #responsiblysourced #natural #ethical #sustainable #vanilla #rainforest #regeneration #regenerativefarming #regenerativeagriculture #reforestation #sustainability #sustainablefood #sustainablefarming #polyculture #biodiversity #nature #environment #realvanilla #littlepodvanilla #indonesianvanilla #keepitreal #campaignforrealvanilla 🌏

Six months ago today...

Paul, Dave and Janet visited Made, Made 2 and LittlePod’s vanilla farmers at our collaborative orchard in Indonesia.

On a beautiful day in Bali, we met the men regenerating the rainforest around them on our behalf, including Putu (pictured), who gave LittlePod the thumbs up and told us, “We are a family, we work together...”

Made’s pioneering polyculture system means vanilla grows alongside countless other crops at the LittlePod plantation. This has benefits both for the environment and for the farmers, who have multiple income streams that require them to protect and preserve their fragile forest surroundings.

Thanks to Made’s innovative method – which is how vanilla *should* be grown – LittlePod’s vines are more robust and better able to withstand climate anomalies, which is so often an issue for the farming communities on the Equatorial Belt. It is a system that means the farmers can take their time in cultivating their vanilla – the most labour-intensive of crops.

Like to find out more about the LittlePod orchard and our approach to regenerative vanilla farming in the world’s Equatorial regions?

Be sure to keep following @little_pod, visit our website (littlepod.co.uk) or feel free to send us a message if you have any questions.

#littlepod #responsiblysourced #natural #ethical #sustainable #vanilla #rainforest #regeneration #regenerativefarming #regenerativeagriculture #reforestation #sustainability #sustainablefood #sustainablefarming #polyculture #biodiversity #nature #environment #realvanilla #littlepodvanilla #indonesianvanilla #keepitreal #campaignforrealvanilla 🌏

LittlePod’s Indonesian vanilla pods come from our collaborative orchard in Bali, where the farmers use a pioneering system of polyculture. Whilst simultaneously growing a wide variety of crops in the natural rainforest, the LittlePod orchard is creating a self-sustainable ecosystem, contributing to biodiversity and improved soil fertility.

#littlepod #responsiblysourced #natural #ethical #sustainable #vanilla #rainforest #regeneration #regenerativefarming #regenerativeagriculture #reforestation #sustainability #sustainablefood #sustainablefarming #polyculture #biodiversity #nature #environment #realvanilla #littlepodvanilla #indonesianvanilla #keepitreal #campaignforrealvanilla 🌏

Six months ago today...

Janet, Paul and Dave celebrated International Real Vanilla Day 2023 with LittlePod’s friends and farmers in Indonesia!

October 17th was a beautiful day in Bali and the travelling LittlePod team took full advantage...

On that day, we:

👉 Caught up with Made – LittlePod’s original vanilla farmer – at our base in Ubud.

👉 Spent time with Nyomam, an Indonesian vanilla farmer, and enjoyed a tour of his idyllic plantation.

👉 Saw a beautiful vanilla orchid in bloom – a rare and wonderful sight given that this fragile flower lasts for just 24 hours.

👉 Visited Ketut, our partner in Bali, and saw the fabulous facility where the vanilla pods from our collaborative orchard are dried, cured and processed.

👉 Shared messages of support for the vanilla farming communities in Indonesia (and beyond) from LittlePodders all over the world.

👉 Relaxed in the evening with some traditional Indonesian entertainment (and Janet even did a little dancing)!

Six months on and there are just six months to go until International Real Vanilla Day 2024 on October 17th, the most important date on the LittlePod calendar...

Here in East Devon, we’re starting to make our plans once again. Do be sure to save the date and keep following for further details!

#littlepod #vanilla #realvanilla #natural #ethical #sustainable #responsiblysourced #ingredients #bali #indonesia #internationalrealvanilladay #internationalrealvanilladay2023 #sustainability #biodiversity #farming #food #keepitreal #campaignforrealvanilla 🌏

It is hard to believe, but six months have passed since we visited the vanilla farmers at LittlePod’s collaborative orchard in Indonesia. Much has happened in the meantime, both here at our base in East Devon, and there, at our pioneering plantation.

Here at LittlePod HQ, we are continuing to spread the word about REAL vanilla and its importance to the planet. In Bali, meanwhile, the vanilla farmers have been busy, as underlined in our most recent update.

Coming almost six months after we celebrated International Real Vanilla Day – and, coincidentally, on National Orchid Day – we were all delighted to receive some up-to-date images from the LittlePod orchard.

Here, Made and the vanilla farmers use a pioneering polyculture system to preserve and protect the rainforest environment around them. It is obvious from this update that this strategic approach is working.

Like to find out more...?

To read our latest update in full, visit the What News? section on our website (link in bio), where you’ll find our latest blog post.

#littlepod #vanilla #realvanilla #natural #ethical #sustainable #responsiblysourced #ingredients #farming #agriculture #sustainablefarming #sustainablefood #nature #rainforest #deforestation #reforestation #biodiversity #climatechange #environment #indonesia #bali #orchids #orchid #nationalorchidday #littlepodvanilla #keepitreal #campaignforrealvanilla 🌏

Did you know it’s National Orchid Day...?

Here at LittlePod, we’re celebrating the vanilla orchid, the precious plant at the heart of our efforts.

DYK that vanilla is an orchid...?

When LittlePod launched in 2010, we discovered that consumers had lost touch with this magical ingredient, and that even some of the best chefs did not understand what vanilla was or where it comes from.

It soon became clear that there was a need to educate cooks about REAL vanilla, as opposed to the artificial alternatives on the supermarket shelves.

This prompted us to initiate our Campaign for Real Vanilla – a mission that continues to this day.

In supporting the farming communities in the world’s Equatorial regions, LittlePod is helping to protect the vanilla orchid and regenerate the rainforest environments in which it grows, benefiting the planet and all its people. It is this we celebrate today.

Did you know...?

👉 There are more than 35,000 different orchid species, but just one – vanilla – produces an edible seed pod.

👉 Vanilla is an evergreen climbing vine that grows around the trunks of rainforest trees, precisely 23 degrees either side of the Equator.

👉 Cultivating vanilla is a long and demanding process – it can take up to five years from planting to producing the pods that we use in our kitchens.

👉 Vanilla is the most labour-intensive agricultural crop on Earth – each orchid flower must be individually pollinated by hand.

👉 The exclusive properties of vanilla, with its high value and dependency on native trees, means it can be a crucial crop for communities in the Equatorial regions, encouraging farmers to preserve the rainforest around them.

👉 When LittlePod launched, we were told that vanilla could be lost within a generation if we didn’t act immediately.

👉 Fourteen years on, vanilla remains an endangered species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

To all those working to protect vanilla and the places it grows, and to all our LittlePodders and those who support our Campaign for Real Vanilla, we send our thanks this National Orchid Day.

#nationalorchidday #littlepod #campaignforrealvanilla 🌍