Started in 2019 as a small pilot project, Tanzanilla & Friends began in northwest Tanzania, with the goal of building more reliable access to vanilla in regions unheard of, which are home to people and eco-zones conducive to cultivation of high-grade vanilla.
Initially focused in Tanzania, the project has grown across the seas to represent vanilla from more parts of the world and peoples who have demonstrated care and ability to do so. We feel that opening access to new and changing markets for vanilla cultivators — as well as folks who have mastered the art of curing — is worldly and worthy.
The beauty that vanilla radiates is a testament and a representation to whence these pods come.
We hope you feel inspired to share and celebrate, and grow awareness about this amazing spice, what it represents, with us and your communities.
A bit about our name
Tanzanilla pays homage to what is vanilla planifolia origins and where our project began, as well as widely accepted origins of vanilla — what is modern day Mexico. Pronounced in Spanish, the double ‘ll’ becomes a phonetic ‘y’ and our pronunciation turns into Tanzania, the country we pay homage to as the beginning of our journey.
As we’ve continued to explore and meet different producers across regions, we found it necessary to reflect our newfound relations and sources in our name: friends.
Asante sana