hawaiian vanilla company

This was a wonderful experience!!! Every detail was well planned and enjoyable. The luncheon was delicious, the presentation inspirational, and the tour very informative! It is a small, family-owned operation and they have a great story. This experience was completely worthwhile in every way; go if you get the chance! And don't hesitate to book because it will be sold out if you wait!!!

This was one of those finally-getting-around-to-it excursions I've wanted to do for years on a visit to the Big Island. And I'm so glad we went. It was, as billed, a "vanilla experience", hosted personally by the farm's owner, Jim, and other members of his family. As we ate our vanilla infused lunch, Jim told his story of how he & his wife bought their first land in Hamakua and moved there from Oahu to raise their family in a rural environment. Having no real clue about what they would farm, they came to vanilla by chance, and learned by trial, error, and mentoring and luck. Since 1998, their business has grown and continues to expand. Jim is a good storyteller and it's a good story. He encourages others to follow their dreams and shares his failures as well as his innovations. After lunch we walked to where the plants are growing, with Jim explaining details about cultivation and production. It takes patience and a lot of TLC to go from green bean to fragrant brown pod. Back uphill to the dining room where we were served delicious Roselani Vanilla Ice Cream and vanilla flavored coffee. It was easy after that to linger in the gift shop and to buy empty bottles with vanilla beans inside awaiting the liquor of our choice that would make our own "mother" jar of extract. There were many vanilla products, cosmetic and culinary, most developed by Reddekopp family members. Beans cost $11. each. The "experience" with lunch costs $39 and they usually sell out, so be sure to reserve (we did a few days before. One can drive up to the shop and enjoy a snack, like an outstanding Vanilla Milkshake for considerably less.

Quite an interesting tour $25 including fresh coffee, iced tea or lemonade. Also a dish of vanilla bean ice cream that was very creamy and rich! The tour was interesting with a story of how the place came to be, history of the vanilla orchid plant, how it is grown, a walk to the growing area and further explanation. Very educational for all ages. There is also a luncheon for 20 people with reservations only. There are products for sale made with their vanilla and some other spices grown there.

What a beautiful day we had driving to a somewhat remote farm to experience a delicious "all vanilla" lunch and tour. The story of this family's journey was so inspiring. We had a rather intimate lunch (make a reservation ahead of time) and was delicious! Jim kept us entertained with a cooking demonstration, videos, and stories. After lunch we walked down to the farm and he explained more about the vanilla growing process...facinating. My heart felt full and happy by the time we left (tummy, too!)

The lunch was a vanilla joy, but the tour, commentary and "head bean" Jim, were the real treats. Go, just go...visit a family run farm that will make you trip to big island feel special. Get lunch reservations in advance. Gift shop has nice items, too.

A beautiful day, the lovely aroma of vanilla, a pleasant meal, and the story of a struggling entrepreneur who followed his heart and built a successful family business came together to make this an extremely enjoyable visit. We drove up from the Kohala coast along the winding road into the high hillside south of Hilo (about an hour’s drive for us) to the vanilla farm for lunch and an introduction to vanilla farming. Owner Jim Reddekopp was personable and a great story teller. He cooked a yummy shrimp appetizer for our group of about 20, and then he and his 13 year old son Aidan served us lunch of chicken sandwiches and salad. All of the food contained vanilla grown on the farm and was very tasty. After lunch we made the short hike to the hillside where Jim talked about the challenges and rewards of starting a vanilla plantation and then led us through a greenhouse where we could see young vanilla plants at various stages of development. Then it was back to the main building where we were treated to vanilla ice cream for dessert. We appreciated Jim’s tips about how to make your own vanilla, so we bought a bottle containing three nice, long vanilla beans. We’ll add vodka or rum when we’re back at home, and in six months will have our own natural vanilla for baking and other uses. This tour is appropriate for older teens and adults. Another guest (who lived in Kona) was there for something like the fourth time in six months with friends from the mainland, and she was surprised that we were able to make a reservation only a few days earlier. She said it's usually very difficult to find space on short notice. Reservations are a must.

a little drive out of the way but go for the vanilla products, stay for the thick sweet vanilla milkshakes. the owner was in the shop and was super friendly. they serve lunch and treats as well. definitely pick up some fresh vanilla extract.

Great place to learn and have lunch + tour. MUST make reservations!!! We did not know about reservations and just showed up - they were booked. The menu for lunch was shared with us and was mouth-watering. Trip is by winding road to get to the site. Parking is limited, but not problematic. Nice strode. Read their newsletter when you get to store as gives background information. Did not have time to go back, but would have made it a priority.

This was one of the few things that we haven't done on the Big Island in our 25 years of traveling here. I'm sad that we haven't experienced sooner because it was definitely worthwhile! The luncheon was delicious and satisfying. The information and tour were so thorough. It was very heartwarming to see a family with such strong conviction making their dream a reality and really maximizing it for everyone to enjoy! We will definitely go back and encourage others to visit as well!

This is a true family enterprise. We were checked in by the owners 13 year old son, served by another son, the daughter cooked the delicious lunch and Jim, dad first, owner second, provided excellent information about vanilla during lunch. It was heartwarming to see this tight knit family perform their tasks like a ballet. Seems so refreshing to see such a dedicated family team. Who knew vanilla could make so many different foods and condiments taste so incredible? The tour consisted of a walk down to a greenhouse area where we sat among some small trees and learned more about vanilla. On to the greenhouse for a look at some orchid plants which create the fantastic vanilla bean (who knew?). Take a sweater, it can get cool up at this place....compared to the beaches that is.Highly recommended! Make a reservation well in advance.

Didn't know anything about growing vanilla beans until my trip to this beautiful little farm on the way to the hamakoa coast of the Big Island. Great lunch with Vanilla flavored foods and sauces then a tour of the farm. Jim and his family started from scratch in this somewhat remote location and now have several thousand visitors a year. Be sure to make a reservation for the lunch and tour.

Unfortunately the luncheon was full for the entire week and we were only able to get in on the farm tour. It was very informative and has an enthusiastic host, you can tell that Jim really loves what he does. If you think it's something you want to do make your reservations early

The owner Jim is very informative and kind. The tour of the farm was so interesting. We had a good lunch but could not detect the vanilla flavor in the food. Jim demonstrated how to make your own vanilla. A beautiful drive to the farm. Very clean. A family operation with his teenage kids serving and preparing with their mother's help. Liked hearing about how Jim got into this business.

Lovely people, lovely setting, great lunch, wonderfully educational tour. Do not use GPS to get there follow their web site directions. Mile post 37 I believe.

My sons, my mom and myself were staying at a vacation rental very close to the Hawaiian Vanilla Company, so we decided to have their Saturday high tea. You need to make a reservation for this, it isn't drop in friendly. We were seated and asked if we would like champagne, my sons received a vanilla lemonade. We then received a delicious appetizer, a small soup and salad, a chicken slider sandwich, and then came out a three tiered plate of various delicious cookies, brownies, cakes and pastries. We felt the value was very good for the amount of food given. Jim was very attentive, asking several times if we needed more hot water for our tea, chatting with the guests and asking if we had any questions about the business, etc. It was definately worth the drive out.