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February 2024 by Paul Nash
Very educational and informational tasting and tour. Bryce was a really great host and we enjoyed the experience very much. It's worth noting that you may or may not *see* all aspects of the growing and curing process, but that's because you should understand that it is a 3-5 year process and your momentary visit is like a blink of the eye as far as the vines care.
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February 2024 by Steve Risenmay
The Hawaiian Vanilla Co. Is best experienced with their booked tour and food sampling experience. If you do not have a booked tour you can go into their gift shop, buy premium vanilla, and even buy your own vanilla kit to create your own vanilla. This is a locally owned farm that produces most of the food on the tour and food sampling experience. The person who gives the tour is very knowledgeable about the industry and will leave you excited to learn more. Fact learned from this tour: vanilla comes from an orchid plant and the largest orchid plant in the world is an acre in size.
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February 2024 by Bambi Seidenberg
I did the lunch tour with my children recently. It was a great experience. The food and staff were amazing. If on the island I would recommend checking it out! Very handicap friendly as well.
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February 2024 by Maggie Seidenberg (Mai)
Let me start with ; this is one of the most wholesome Hawaiian experiences you can have, as kama'aina or as a visitor from other lands. The Hawaiian Vanilla Co stands for so many integral Hawaiian values, and their passion, dedication, and pursuit of utilizing their experience to bring profitable, empowering agriculture back to the islands is truly inspirational.Whether participating in the luncheon/ culinary experience + tour or simply visiting their shop up in the mountain, the rustic feel and fantastic products make this place a very special stop. You can even purchase a make your own Hawaiian Vanilla Extract kit, which, when made with thoughtfulness and love, can last you many years.Thanks to Zachary, or whoever your tour guide may be, you'll learn not only about one of the most undervalued spices in the world, but you'll also learn about the history of agriculture on the Big Island, the history and botany of vanilla, and most importantly, the background of the farm. You'll learn that this little business is far more than meets the eye, being the first to commercial growers of Vanilla in the United States, and being home to several beautiful, growing families.The Hawaiian Vanilla Co is truly he wahi kupanaha (an amazing place) and a must for everyone looking to be reminded of what it looks like for a small Hawaiian business to pursue greatness for their homeland.
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February 2024 by Vanessa Fuchs
An absolute must see! The appetizer, lunch and dessert was delish. Loved the vanilla tea! The tour was extremely educational and Zach made it fun to learn. We bought a lot of vanilla items from their shop and can't wait to get them home and start using them.
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February 2024 by VCA BC
My spouse and I took the lunch/tour combo in early February. The food ( all infused with vanilla) was amazing. Great lunch! I was, however, disappointed with the tour. I found that the gentleman who did the tour was pushing their products in the store way too much. I would have rather he explained to me the process of how the vanilla beans go from plant to consumer. He explained a bit about the hand pollination but didn’t mention that it’s only a window of about 6 hours to complete this task ad that this time frame starts at dawn the day following the day it flowers. There was little explanation of the drying/curing process. We didn’t get to see any beans that were in the process of drying/curing. I went to the other vanilla farm on the Big Island the week previous (located in Kona) and I found their tour to be much more informative.
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February 2024 by Dawn Farrell
This is my third time visiting Hawaiian Vanilla Company. I recommend the lunch and tour. And buy a bean so you can make your own extract at home.
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February 2024 by I. Ellerby
This is a MUST SEE stop while visiting the island, or if you live here!!! The staff was so inviting and the lunch was fantastic. We enjoyed learning so much about vanilla. We bought so many items and will have to order some replacements soon. You definitely need to get the vanilla sugar, cornbread and both salad dressings. The vanilla beans are DIVINE!!! Everyone here makes you feel like family and not like a tourist. We will definitely be regular customers via online ordering and can't wait to see everyone again during our visit next year! Book the Lunch with the tour!!! It adds to your appreciation of the farm!!!The drive to the farm is magnificent from Kona!!! It's an adventure all by itself. There are tiny, winding roads that just made this an exciting trip for us! Waze directions got us there with ease (No! You're not lost--lol!)
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February 2024 by Tracy Mccluskey
This place is amazing!! It's history and lunch and the story of progress is so interesting. One of our favorite tours we've ever taken. Vanilla ice cream after the tour was the best!!!
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February 2024 by chris cirkon
Looking for more interaction with the staff. Wanted to learn more about Vanilla and buy to take home. Left with no interaction and no Vanilla. Disappointed Yes! Just moved on to our next experience.
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February 2024 by Elsie Chaudoin
Learned a lot about Vanilla Bean! Loved our guide. He was very knowledgeable. Next time, we will plan on having lunch.
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February 2024 by Katty T.
Boy, I had a lovely experience touring the Hawaiian Vanilla Company though that went "south" once arriving back to the Mainland. Opened the bottle of vanilla beans purchased January 25th and they were very moldy. For a business that touts itself on sustainability, agro "activists" and "goal to cultivate the best Vanilla in the world", the "moldy" beans were a major disappointment. Adding insult to injury, the jar of three beans cost $45.00. I've reached out to the business and haven't had a response. Just letting fellow "Yelpers" know to check out their purchases before leaving.
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February 2024 by Walter S.
Just a wonderful experience and fabulous food. Would higly recommend adding to your next Big Island trip
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February 2024 by Lauren E.
We had the most amazing time doing the lunch and tour of the farm. The food was amazing and the coffee and ice cream at the end of the tour was absolute perfection. Everyone working was so nice and we learned so much about vanilla and the process to extract it. 10/10 would recommend
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February 2024 by C&K
I thought people were nuts for saying the luncheon tour was the highlight of their trip. We just did it, and call me nuts, but it was! The food was fantastic and the tour was truly mind blowing.
