“My uncle goes to Haiti every year to volunteer at a clinic. He started bringing me Haitian vanilla and it is soooo wonderful.
What I love about the vanilla it is how aromatic it is. When I can’t sleep I sip warm milk (or soy milk) with a few drops of vanilla added to make it tasty,” wrote Lynn Araujo.
I have been looking for the Hatian vanilla described above in the USA. My nephew went to Haiti about 15 years ago on a mission trip and brought me a bottle of it, but I have not been able to find it here in the USA. Once you taste that vanilla all others taste like medicine.
Would Lynn Araujo be able to provide the brand name, manufacturer’s name, bottling co., etc? It will be greatly appreciated.
At last I have discovered a distributor of haitian products in the USA that sells REBO haitian vanilla.
It is available on their website
http://house-of-bread.org/prod.html
The really good news is that their profits support ministries for schools and orphanages.
So spread the word and bake with LOVE.
Received my order of Perrier vanilla from House of Bread today. They were out of the Rebo. Unfortunately, it is not the aroma I was looking for. The one I am looking for came in a large wine-like bottle sealed with cork and with grey label. I don’t remember if it said pure extract or essence.
[…] Spicy hot cocoa is a secret recipe. But firstborn tells me you need cocoa, sugar, cinnamon and Haitian Vanilla. The latter is essential. And unless you brought back a gallon the last time you visited this […]
We regularly get haitien vanilla from haitien friends who live in large, immigrant cities where there are haitien stores. We have used Miami, NY, and Montreal, and I’m sure there would be stores in many other cities where there are haitiens.
Oh man, my wife and I have had amazing stuff at places in ‘little haiti’, restaurants and stuff. It sounds off, but they put vanilla, and some kind of milk with fruit juice, even citrus. Very good; when I try to do it at home it’s a mess, but when the right people do it, it’s amazing.
OK, could Sophia explain her label on Perrier. Is it essence?
We bring vanilla back every year that we purchase at our guest house. Two yrs ago it was Essence de Vanille by Nicolas Altidor. Last year it was Vanille Essence by Vitale Herne (my friend loves it!!). This year they have Perrier. At the airport they sell Mountain Maid (much more expensive). Can anyone compare the diff. or explain why so many different brands each year.
The label says: “Essence of Vanilla Concentrate” imported by Domicove LLC in Miami, FL. The ingredients are: Fresh vanilla, brown caramel, purified water, artificial vanilla flavor, alcohol 1%.
I have bought the “Essence of Vanilla Concentrate S.Perrier from Haiti myself on trips, There is nothing in this world like it, Cutting through the . . . Has anyone found a way to buy this, purchase this, support this country with one of the best products they supply?
Cheryl Farkas,
Hey ya’ll…
I travle to Haiti every three months and would be willing to buy bottles, bring them to the states and send thhem to you at cost of product and shipping….
Let me know.
Lindsay
http://www.haitianvanilla.com/products.htm offers the Perrier Vanilla (and Almond–site claims they deliver anywhere in US.
I have a bottle (empty now) of vanilla from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, from 15 years ago. My uncle was a missionary and brought back a case of it. It is by far the best vanilla ever. I’m on a mission to find it again. It came in a plastic bottle with a manila label with just the words: ESSENCE DE VANILLE PURE A L C O PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI. Do you think this is the same as is mentioned in the posts above? Thanks! Pam
I was on a mission trip to Haiti in 2008, and the bottle of vanilla I have has company info on it. The company name is “Aromatic Products” the address is p.o. box 2492 Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and the telephone number is 2511-7450. The front of the bottle says, “Essence of Vanilla Concentrate” and “Perrier”. It does have a slight medicinal smell, but I believe this is the alcohol. I only use half of the amount that a recipe calls for because of its potency.
My sister went to Haiti last december to help with the Missionaries. and she brought me back some vanilla from haiti. I’m making some oatmeal raisin cookies and this is my first time using it. I want to know how does it taste and smell. I opened it and really didn’t smell anything. so can someone help me. thanks joyce, phila
I travel to Haiti frequently. I have brought back “Rebo” and “Perrier”….both very good and with wonderful aromas and products of Haiti and bought at the airport. I have also bought in my village’s marketplace little packets “Vainilla BonAplus 100% natural” (made in Dominican Republic). It is clear and with wonderful aroma.\….and very cheap!
I wonder what brand you have and what kind of label it has; there should be a wonderful aroma. I usually use what the recipe calls for; sometimes I cut back a little too when I remember I am using Haitian vanilla.
I have used Haitian Vanilla since going on a mission trip there back in ’85, the stuff we get in the stores in the states does not begin to compare. I love the flavor and aroma that it adds to dishes I use it in. Does wonders for vanilla ice cream! When I finally ran out of my original stash, I ordered it from http://house-of-bread.org/prod.html. I ‘ve always been wary of Mexican vanilla – what I got didn’t seem as strong, but then a friend got some and it was… Leary of the quality.
Great to know you can order REBO- which is the brand I have and love.
Also nice to support commerce in Haiti- heaven knows they need it.
(if anyone wants to know another way to support them visit the Haitian Heath Foundation)
Thanks for all these comments over the past 3 years! What fun.
From the last time I was this site, i said that i tryed hatian vallina….Recently I made a cake for easter using the vanilla and my family truly love it. The flavoring is excellent. My sister may go back to hatti, this december, to do missionary work, and i may go with her, and buy some more vanilla while i’m there.
I received a bottle of Haitian vanilla about 25 years ago from my cousin who visited Haiti. It is the most wonderful stuff on earth-very flavorful and aromatic. The seal on the bottle is “Barbancourt” which I have found out is a rum producer. I can’t seem to find out if they still bottle “essence de vanille”. Anyone have any information? The label also said: prepare et mis en bouteille par” and “L. Labrousse”
The research I’ve done revealed that vanilla from Haiti and Mexico is made from rum, which gives it a stronger flavor, while other vanilla are typically made from vodka. The “Essence de Vanile” was what I originally brought back from Haiti 26 yrs. ago and it was in a rather large plastic bottle. The new packaging is the same name Essence de Vanille Rebo in a 12 oz bottle made by Cafe-Rebo.
Liquid vanilla products made without alcohol are called vanilla flavoring. Some vanilla extracts are made from ethyl alcohol derived from corn. Commercial vanilla extract usually has simple syrup (sugar water) added to the extract to give it a sweet aftertaste. I still prefer the vanilla fro Haiti.
I was in Haiti in February and brought home 2 bottles of the Essence of Vanilla Concentrate Perrier, labeled Aromatic Products, Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I have 1 tsp. left so I started searching for websites to buy it. I found this website: http://www.kauffmansfruitfarm.com/standard/store/item.aspx?id=BY6P1. The cost is $6.60/10 oz. which does not include shipping. It’s in the neighboring county for me so I’m planning a trip next week to stock up on the vanilla. You’re right, after you’ve used Haitian vanilla, you don’t want to go back to others!
I Bought a bottle of “Essence of Vanilla Perrier” in Florida. It is my favorite and the best. It looks like
they just open a plant of production in the U.S.(Florida)
because of the demand. It Says on the label: Manufactured by “PERRIER AROMATICS” A Division of Aromatic Products of Haiti. The address is: 11496 Pierson Rd. No C11 Wellington FL 33414. Ph#(561)860-7583. email is franz@perrieraromatics.com. If anybody wants to buy some you can send an email to him. Only, he only sells by cases.
Could you please tell me how much your bottles of Haitian vanilla are? I have used it in recipes before and I really liked it. Please note that I am interested ONLY in the Haitian pure vanilla.
Thank you for the requested information.
Carolyn
Or can someone assist Carolyn in where to purchase it. Thanks!
I have vanilla from Haiti that I brought back last october to sell at my church. I have a couple bottles left & would be glad to sell & ship $10/bottle. I use the profit to assist the village where I go (Trouin).
If interested reply to me at friendsoftrouin@yahoo.com
Going again on february 27
The brand is REBO
I buy Haitian vanilla in Boston, Massachusetts and the bottles I bought 2 years ago or so (I stock up) say. LUCOMO OF HAITI….VANILLA EXTRACT…PURE VANILLE….ALCOOL 10%….8OZ….DISTRIBUTED BY LUCOMO OF PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI….That is all the bottle says…I been using it for years…Will not use any other vanilla…Love it.
Rosa, where in Boston do you purchase the vanilla? OR… Does anyone know where in NY or NJ I get buy Perrier or Rebo?
I’m having a hard time finding a good Haitian vanilla in states & I bake Haitian Cakes on a regular (usually I get a family member to bring me some when they go, but it’s never enough).
Hello,
I have “Essence of Vanilla Concentrate Perrier” (Net 10 FL Oz (296ml) ) in a plastic bottle from Aromatic Products in Port-au-Prince,with french vanilla, brown caramel, purified water, vanilla flavoring, alcohol 1 %.
I wanted to use it for Peruvian Alfajores (sort of a dried hard cookie). I do not know how much of the Essence of Vanilla Concentrate to use. Do any of you have suggestions on how much to use?
Thank you.
I have the Perrier vanilla, and I used 1 teaspoon of it for the Peruvian Alfajores. It is not too concentrated so I use the amount the recipes call for.
I have used the Essesence of Vanilla Concentrate Perrier for several years in Ohio. You can buy it at Walnut Creek grocery in Walnut Creek OH in the middle of Amish Country. I now live in Florida full time so I am looking for an easier place to buy it. Any suggestions? I see it can be purchased online from Kauffman’s Fruit Farm which is my next choice.
I received two different kinds of vanilla from Haiti and don’t have a clue how to use either. Both are bottled in a glass wine bottle size. They are distributed by Rovacyho in Cap-Haitian, Haiti. One is Essence Vanille; the other is Ess Noyau.
Previously I received a gift of Pharmacie Sejourne vanilla bottled in Port-au-Prince. This vanilla is outstanding as described by so many others.
Please share if you have any info on the Rovacyho brand. I have a case and plan to sell the bottles at a bazaar with all the proceeds going to our mission in Haiti. I need to know the cost of each bottle and how it should be used.
Has anyone found the true essence and the pure vanilla and Almond extract yet, I have gotten several bottles of false claims of the Essence of the Haitian Vanilla. Please HELP!
I still have part of a bottle of the really good Haitian vanilla. I’d love to get more, but can’t find it anymore. My cousin brought this back from Haiti. I’ve tried Perrier, but it’s not good. The label says Essence de Vanille Qualiite Superieure Prepare et mis en Bouteille per L. Labrousse. The neck label says Barbancourt. I did find out that Barbancourt is a rum distiller. It is bottled in a brown glass fifth bottle. I hope this helps somebody find it…let us know!!
Wow!!! First time in 30 years I heard Perrier Vanilla from Haiti is not good.
My mom gave me Barbancourt “Monita – essence de vanille” vanilla, 35 years ago. I’d give my first born to get some more! I am as passionate as all of you. It is amazing! Makes the best “Kahlua” ever. Anyone know about this one and where to get more?
I live in Boston. I used to get Lucomo vanilla and almond extract from Mattapan but have not seen it for almost a decade. I have some of the almond still but have run out of the vanilla to my immense regret. If anyone ever finds it again, please let me know. It is the best by several orders of magnitude.
*See my post Dec 17, 2016. In Dec.’16 I bought Mountain Maid vanilla at $6/~10oz,(maybe 12oz?) but shipping was ~$26.00! I re-bottled from plastic into dark glass; the plastic bottle is gone, but it was at least 10 oz. I believe it is equivalent to my 35 year old (depleted Dec 2016) “Barbancourt” vanilla. I was ecstatic to get it and since it lasts me so long, while the shipping felt exorbitant it was worth it!!! The other 4 types of vanilla I bought trying to replace the Haitian, pale dramatically by comparison (barely useable). For questions how to use and amount to use, I never use more than 1/2 that the recipe calls for. Usually a few (3-4) drops are plenty and use it for whatever you normally make with it. Your baked goods (and Kahlua) will be the best of the best!
Karen Dickey – I am just reading your post on Mountain Maid vanilla. My bottle is ancient, but carefully guarded and has lasted a long time at the reduced usage amount each time. Today I knocked my bottle over. I looked online to find Mountain Maid, and this is the first I have seen it. My original bottle: Essence of Vanilla Concentrate. Distrib. by Mountain Maid, Box 1366 Port-au-Prince, Haiti. 16 fl oz. Ingredients: Fresh Vanilla, Brown Caramel, Purified Water, Other Flavors, Alcohol 1%. Yours is close. On line, the product listed by Mt. Maid was not same ingredients. My bottle says use 1/4 to 1/2 original recipe amt. Have you found a comparable product? SS
I’m glad to see that this thread is still active. I have brought Perrier which most closely resembles the ingredient list for a Haitian vanille brand my mother would use called Vital Herne.
Ingredients
Perrier
Fresh Vanilla, Brown Caramel, Purified Water, Artificial Vanilla, Flavor, Alcohol 1%
Vital Herne
Vanilla, Vanilline, Caramel, Water, Alcohol
I’ll have to get another bottle of Vital Herne to properly compare.
Under the suggestion of Gloria I found a bottle of Pharmacie Sejourne at this website. They also have clear vanilla nd almond extract. If you do buy the three pack mix and match. They don’t actually contact you to ask Wich type you want to I suggest emailing them right after you place a order. https://www.ebenezerdtc.org/online-store/cart
Ingredients
Water, alcohol 40%, caramel ethyl vanilla, vanillan, artificial flavors
One issue I have is that this ingredient list is something ebenzer added on and I wish the original list was still on there. But still seems like good vanilla. Definitely taste different then the perrier.
I too am curious about the mountain maid. I would buy if I had an ingredient list which is not on the website.
I have not been able to find rebo. If anyone did find the Rovacyho or Lucomo brand please let me know. Thanks!
Hi Nickel. I wrote Mt. Maid and got a reply, but my questions were not answered. I want to know the listed ingredients in the order given, and percentage of alcohol, which should be on the bottle. I feel 40% is a high alcohol content when mine was 1%. Did not get any information on that. Surely that information is available to the distributor. SS
Dear Shirley,
I bought the Mountain Maid vanilla and it is awesome! The plastic bottle was $6.00 but the shipping was $19.00+. Ouch! I think it was about 16 oz., but I put it in a dark glass bottle as soon as it arrived so I’m not positive.
I love it and I don’t regret buying it. It will last a very long time (use 2-3 drops if you need a teaspoon!). Now I can make the best “Kahlua” ever. It’s my little treasure.
Best regards,
Karen D.
I am in Haiti now. I hope to go to the mission where they sell mountain maid.
Does anyone want me to pick up some?
I also know where to buy rebo.
Perrier ha s been harder to find…last march I bought in jacmel.
I bring home always to sell as fund raiser in my church.
Joy, I am down to one spare bottle, but my children have been raised using only Haitian Vanilla, as I have used I since trVeling there for mission work in 1985. Can you tell me how much it is? I would love to replenish my supply! Currently, I have Vital Herne. I would like at least four bottles.
Also, if anyone has compared the white vanilla to the dark vanilla, I would love to hear those thoughts please.
Glad to see this thread come back to life. Joy, I am tempted to get some vanilla from you but I have a relative that has brought me some and should ship it soon.
Lynnett, I have both the clear and dark vanilla. The clear one has a much stronger taste of alcohol but I haven’t really noticed a significant difference when cooking with either one but next time I’ll pay more attention. Wish I could be a bit more discription.
Joy,
I am so glad I found this forum. I would love to get Rebo or Vital Herne Essence of Vanilla dark and clear. I will be glad to purchase some from you.
Marje
I recently had 119 bottles of Mountain Maid Haitian Vanilla shipped to me to sell as a fundraiser to help redo our downstairs that flooded during Hurricane Harvey. I am selling the bottles for $20 each with $7 shipping. If interested in purchasing please email me at: tinacoffey1971@gmail.com
Just a nostalgic memory about Haitian vanilla. In the late 70s while I staying at Oloffsons someone told me how great Haitian vanilla was. We took a ride to the producer and I bought 12 bottles of vanilla in unlabeled rum bottles–at 88 cents a bottle! Friends and family enjoyed the flavor of Haitian vanilla for years. I continue to use Haitian vanilla, but not fro the original stash.