In a recent newsletter to their members, Lorna Glover Abungu of the Nevis Heritage Conservation Societym graciously featured Gina Empson’s inspiring journey to Nevis and her lifelong dream of establishing a vanilla farm. At that time, Vanilla Paradise Nevis was just starting out, but now, after a year of growth and development, it has transformed in such remarkable ways that it's barely recognizable!

At Vanilla Paradise Nevis, we cultivate organic and sustainable vanilla on the tropical island of Nevis and vanilla is anything but plain to me. Like many people, I encountered the expression "plain vanilla" to describe something that is basic, ordinary, or unremarkable, without really knowing why. So, I decided to dive deeper into this term and explore how it is used and why.

Each year, on May 22nd the world celebrates the International Day for Biological Diversity to raise awareness and understanding of the vital role biodiversity plays in sustaining life on our planet. The Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted in 1992 by the United Nations and ratified by 196 countries, aims to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and its components.

Discover the fascinating history of vanilla, its ties to Mesoamerican culture, and how it became one of the most popular flavours in the world. Learn about the ingenious discovery of a 12-year-old boy that revolutionized the vanilla industry, and the current state of vanilla production worldwide.

Vanilla is a flavour that is beloved by many, and for good reason. It is versatile, able to be used to elevate any recipe. But did you know that vanilla also played a key role in changing the way we cook? Let’s explore the fascinating history of vanilla and its impact on the culinary world.

As a business entrepreneur and founder of two companies, I've always been driven to succeed and pursue my passions. After successfully selling my fiduciary and then my payrolling company, The Business Harbour, in Geneva, Switzerland I went back to my young adult passion, botany. Fate played a role in discovering the pristine Caribbean tropical island of Nevis. This led me to start my own organic and sustainable vanilla farm on Nevis.

After a full and enriching international career in accounting and finance working with global companies, I founded and ran my own fiduciary business and payrolling company, The Business Harbour, in Switzerland, despite many challenges. It was not common for women to start their own businesses at that time in this country, and if women did work, it was generally in support positions.

Vanilla is one of the commonest flavors in the world today. It's used in several food products, desserts, pastries and beverages. Vanilla is obtained from a Vanilla bean which is from a climbing orchid plant.Vanilla is grown in various areas of the world, but most come from Madagascar, Indonesia, Uganda and Mexico. Growing Vanilla is stressful and time-consuming, although it's lucrative. Cultivating Vanilla include Propagation, planting, flowering, pollination, harvesting and processing.