Hawaiian Vanilla Company Tour Review Big Island: Worth It?

Is the Hawaiian Vanilla Company Tour on the Big Island Hawaii worth it?

Hawaiian Vanilla Company not only grows vanilla and gives tours, they even offer an exclusive vanilla themed luncheon with every dish incorporating vanilla in some way. 

While this is a totally unique experience on the Big Island, unless you are already in the Hamakua Coast area, maybe getting malasadas at Tex Drive-In, coming here is a bit out of the way for the average visitor. So, is it worth the effort?

Let’s find out!

Hawaiian Vanilla Company Review

I asked Big Island local, Fred de Ru, if the Hawaiian Vanilla Company tour is worth it. He says YES!

He goes on to tell about his experience with the Hawaiian Vanilla Company Vanilla Experience Luncheon & Farm Tour .

Our daughter and son-in-law left us with a gift certificate to Hawaiian Vanilla Company in Paauillo on the Big Island, about forty miles north of Hilo. We finally had the time and opportunity to take advantage of the present and tried to book a reservation online. 

Unfortunately, the code on the gift certificate failed to register on the website so we resorted to making a phone call. We were very pleased they had an open spot on the day we hoped to go, which happened to be the very next day after calling. 

We live on the Island but at the far south end while the vanilla farm is on the far north end. But we were happy to have an interesting excursion even if it meant 5 hours of driving (2 ½ hours each way).

Getting to Hawaiian Vanilla Company

We came to the turn off and made a left to head uphill on the mauka side of the highway. Immediately we began ascending into the tropical mist for 2 ½ miles before reaching our destination. As is typical for Hawaii, the two lane road was quite narrow and even turned into a single lane as we crossed a small bridge. 

All the way up we passed large properties, large trees and lots and lots of greenery. I noticed on the car dash that the temperature dropped a couple of degrees as we climbed up hill. But we were not at all cold when we got out of the car. 

Paauillo is on the wet side of the island. Where the farm is located, it is normal to receive 160 inches of rain, on average, every year. It just so happened that we were coming out of a weeks-long dry spell and had chosen the first rainy day in over a month. But even the rain didn’t make us in the least bit uncomfortable.

Hawaiian Vanilla Company Gift Shop

The reservation time was 12:30 pm. We arrived about a half hour early allowing us time to browse the shelves in the farm store. 

We were given a $200 gift certificate but the cost of the lunch and tour only came to $156 for the two of us. That left $44 for buying something special to bring home. Brenda’s passion is confections, so she uses lots and lots of real vanilla (the fake stuff is not even allowed in the house!). 

Besides pure vanilla extract, there was extract made with whiskey and extract made with rum. There were several options of spice rubs with vanilla, vanilla granola, pancake and waffle mix with vanilla, corn bread mix, dressings and sauces. There were also a variety of non-edible treats such as soaps, room fresheners and lotions, all featuring their valuable tropical spice. 

What to buy? What to buy? It proved a tough decision so we decided to wait till after the tour.

Immediately upon entering the store we couldn’t help but notice the large opening in the wall that allowed us to view the kitchen. The aroma that emanated from there was subtle but exquisite. 

We both tried to figure out what it might be but couldn’t quite make it out. Perhaps it was some special bakery items or something sweet, maybe. It was at the same time familiar and unusual. The smell wafted to the dining area outside, too. “Mmmm, what is that?”

Aidan was the store host and, later, our waiter. He was talkative and engaging and quick with his jokes.

A child, probably only 3 years old, was bent over a very docile cat who calmly hung out inside with all the guests. 

Aidan told us about his pet, Missy, who began as a feral kitten in the neighborhood but had been adopted by him 16 years ago. She looked much younger, was very sleek, and completely at ease. Aidan joked that she exists on a “live action diet.” He doesn’t need to feed her because she feeds on the geckos and chameleons.

Lunch at Hawaiian Vanilla Company

Aidan is the youngest of the two siblings that maintain the business. Their father passed away in 2020 having started the business back in 1998. His hobby with orchids led to his developing and growing the farm slowly over time. 

Ian, the oldest brother, introduced himself when lunch was served, along with the introduction of the various foods which we all were about to consume. Every item contained vanilla as one of its ingredients, from the drinks to the appetizers, the entrée and the side dishes.

Brenda and I were the first to be seated. Before the meal was served Aidan brought us our drinks. Brenda had the Red Rainforest Ohia, a blend of lemonade, tea and, of course, vanilla. 

I had the more basic regular vanilla lemonade. What I found enjoyable was that it was neither too sweet nor too acidic. Later, Ian explained that one of the unique qualities of vanilla is that it has a tendency to round out flavors and combine and elevate them.

We were seated outside of the building in a patio that was covered with a clean, translucent corrugated roof. It felt like we were eating in an upscale greenhouse. The gentle tapping of rain continued throughout the meal but never inhibited our enjoyment of the experience, nor did the occasional gust of wind that fluttered the rafters.

After a small but wonderful shrimp appetizer, they brought out the main serving. We immediately discovered what had caused such an appealing fragrance we had enjoyed earlier. To our surprise, it was the potatoes which had been prepared with the extreme southwest spice rub. 

Wow! Absolutely sumptuous. 

Brenda is a vegetarian and was given a smoked brie puff pastry option rather than the chicken sandwich that I enjoyed. I received a pineapple chutney rather than the typical mango, which everyone else had, because I’m allergic to mangoes. 

Another special treat were the peppered pecans (pralines?) in the salad. Yum! Everything was marvelous and we were both well satisfied with our portions.

Desert was held back till after the tour of the vanilla vines. Perfect.

>> Check Rates and Availability for the Hawaiian Vanilla Co. Luncheon Experience Here! <<

Hawaiian Vanilla Company Farm Tour

We had brought our own umbrella but as it turns out, they provide umbrellas for the tour. I was glad to have one for myself. 

The walk to the shade house (screened in greenhouse) was all downhill on a very well paved driveway. However, if needed, they were prepared to give rides in a golf cart for anyone who felt they may not be able to make it back up. A group of twenty took part in the lunch but another 5 or 6 joined us for the tour.

Ian was a wealth of information, having been immersed in the business for so long. The tour was a single stop in the shade house where we could view the plants and hear the details surrounding their propagation and care.

I had a little inkling that maybe I should try growing vanilla. That was pushed out of my head quite quickly after I discovered the amount of work and care that goes into such an endeavor. They have traveled all over the world to learn the ins and outs of growing the best vanilla beans possible.

Besides needing very specific climate conditions and requiring hand pollination during a ridiculously short, four-hour flowering period, and besides a long nine-month fruiting period, the harvested beans are handled everyday for four months in the curing process. I think I’ll stick with tomatoes and let the pros handle the hard stuff.

Once back to the main building we all indulged in a serving of real vanilla ice cream. Exactly the right desert to end the tour.

We decided on a purchase from the store. We spent even more than what was still remaining from our gift and left with two bottles of three vanilla beans each. 

We are excited to try making our own vanilla extract. In fact, we picked up both vodka and rum on the way home. The beans will soak in alcohol for four to six months before they will be ready for one of Brenda’s special treats. Woohoo!

>> Check Rates and Availability for Hawaiian Vanilla Co. Farm-Only Tour Here! <<

FAQs

More Farms You Should Visit on the Big Island:
Heavenly Hawaiian Kona Coffee Farm
Sacred Grounds Coffee Farm  
Kona Sea Salt Farm  
Lavaloha Chocolate Farm

Epilogue: Hawaiian Vanilla Company

Visiting the Hawaiian Vanilla Company is one of the more unique farms to visit on the Big Island and definitely worth adding to your itinerary. Whether you just shop for a vanilla themed souvenir or reserve a complete vanilla flavored lunch and tour, you should consider a stop on the farm if you are driving along the Hamakua Coast.