Vanille de Bretagne
Season
- Peak season
- Available
- Not available
Did you know?
Driven by innovation and a constant quest for new opportunities, Prince de Bretagne market garderners are always exploring new markets to expand their range. The idea of growing vanilla in existing greenhouses took root in 2019, in the minds of three passionate producers based in Côtes-d’Armor. Supported by their cooperative, Les Maraîchers d’Armor, and the experimental station Terre d’essais, they successfully rose to the challenge of producing ethical, high-quality vanilla in Brittany.
The first harvest reveals a plump, glossy brown pod, rich in seeds and bursting with intense fragrance.
A Delicate Plant: The vanilla orchid dislikes extremes—whether in temperature or light. Brittany offers a climate well-suited to its cultivation.
A meticulous care : Growing vanilla in requires calm and delicacy at every stage. It’s the result of a 100% manual process - from pollination to curing. Patience is essential: it takes over 18 months from the pollination to the moment till the brown pod is ready for market.
A Vanilla That Keeps Giving:Vanilla from Brittany can be infused multiple times. Before being split open, it releases its delicate aromas when steeped in milk or cream. Once the seeds have been extracted and used, the pod can be stored in sugar to create a delicious vanilla sugar—extending its unique fragrance even further.
A Vanilla pod that can be use several times : Vanilla from Brittany can be infused multiple times. Even before being open, it releases its delicate aromas when dipped in milk or cream. Once the seeds have been extracted and used, the pod can be stored in sugar for example to create a delicious vanilla sugar.
List of Retailers
For professionals: To purchase this still very exclusive Breton vanilla, please contact: COTACOOP – cotacoop@cotacoop.bzh
Nolan LE SAUX – Sales Representative, Cotacoop 📞 +33 6 07 47 93 63 📧 nolan.lesaux@cotacoop.bzh
For individuals: Available online at:
Available at fine grocery stores:
IN BRITTANY
- Côtes d'Armor :
Au Panier de Patou - 1 Espace Pierre de Coubertin 22520 Binic-Étables-sur-Mer
La petite rhumerie - 1 Place du Port 22520 Binic-Étables-sur-Mer
Maison Reux - 12 Pl. du Champ de Foire 22400 Lamballe-Armor
Maison Reux - 11 Rue Fulgence Bienvenue 22360 Langueux
Ici & Là - 18 Rte de Tréguier 22700 Louannec
Chez Ty Kouign - 6 Pont Losquet 22220 Minihy-Tréguier
Chez Nathalie - Zone de Kerfolic 22220 Minihy-Tréguier
Coco & Co - 19 C Av. Châteaubriand 22000 Paimpol
Docks & Mer - Paimpol - Quai Armand Dayot 22500 Paimpol
L'atelier Fermier - 127 Bd de la Corniche 22700 Perros-Guirec
À L'Essentiel - 9 Kerantour 22740 Pleudaniel
Intermarché SUPER Plouézec - Rte de Saint-Brieuc 19, 22470 Plouézec
La Maison des Saveurs - 8 Place Foch 22580 Plouha
Les toqués du chocolat - 810 Runanvizit Za 22970 Ploumagoar
Les Caves Du Tregor - Rue de Keringant, 22700 Saint-Quay-Perros
- Finistère :
Hénaff & Co - 9 avenue Pierre Guéguin 29900 Concarneau
Grain de Sail - 7 Rue du Cosquer, Rond point de la Vierge Noire 29600 Morlaix
Hénaff & Co - 4 rue du Port 29930 Pont-Aven
Hénaff & Co - Rue de Plozevet 29710 Pouldreuzic
Algoplus, Boutique du vieux Port Roscoff - 2 Quai Charles de Gaulle, 29680 Roscoff
- Ile et Vilaine :
Amis de la Ferme - 22 chemin Reine Guenièvre 35740 Pacé
Tamout - 12 Place du Monument 35560 Bazouges-la-Pérouse
Sixième Sens - 6A Rue du Maréchal Leclerc 35800 Dinard
Ô Moment Présent EPICERIE FINE - 18 Rue nationale, 35300 Fougères
Maison Reux - 1 Av. Général de Gaulle 22190 Plérin
Fromagerie chez fanch le petit marché - 2 Pl. Saint-Sauveur, 35000 Rennes
Ty Break - 15 Rue de Dinan 35400 Saint-Malo
Distillerie LETORT - 14 Rue de l'Herminette, 35350 Saint-Méloir-des-Ondes
- Morbihan :
Chez Lory - 1 Rue Basse Notre-Dame 56130 La Roche-Bernard
Hénaff & Co - 19 Cours des Quais 56470 La Trinité-sur-Mer
OTHER REGIONS OF FRANCE
- Cantal :
Robert Florence - 1 rue du capitaine chevalier 15400 Riom-Es-Montagnes
- Manche :
L'Epicerie de la Baie - 13 Route du Mont Saint-Michel 50170 Beauvoir
- Mayenne :
Au Cours Des Halles - 7 Route de Sablé 53200 Château-Gontier-sur-Mayenne
Where to experience the flavor of Breton vanilla?
- Artisan Glacier Pâtissier ADAM - Place de la République 22500 Paimpol
- Glacerie Morice - 1664 Quai de Courcy, 22520 Binic-Étables-sur-Mer
- Les Hauts de Kerano - 2 Chemin de Kergroas, 22500 Paimpol
- La ferme de la belle Noé (Huile à la vanille) - Le Parc Laurent, 22440 Trémuson
- Restaurant du Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil - 26 Av. Marc de la Haye, 27100 Le Vaudreuil
Cooking Tips
Why Choose Vanilla from Brittany?
To select a high-quality vanilla pod, make sure it immediately releases a strong, natural vanilla aroma. It should be soft, flexible, and not brittle. A premium pod is dark in color. And the longer and thicker it is, the better — this means it’s rich in vanillin and seeds.
Vanilla from Brittany meets all these standards: each pod is harvested individually at peak maturity, ensuring an exceptional vanillin content and an intense fragrance. Our Breton vanilla pods are plump, supple, and bursting with flavor — so you can use every part to fully enjoy their aromatic richness!
How to Prepare Vanilla from Brittany
Split the pod: Use a sharp knife to slice the Breton vanilla pod lengthwise.
Extract the seeds: With the back of the knife, gently scrape the inside of the pod to collect the tiny black seeds.
How to Cook with Vanilla from Brittany
You can use both the seeds and the pod for maximum flavor:
Milk or cream: Add the split vanilla pod to your preparation (milk, cream, etc.) and let it infuse gently over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the vanilla to release all its aromatic richness. Remove the pod before continuing with your recipe.
Make sure to use every part of your Breton vanilla pod!
How to Store Vanilla from Brittany
Keep away from moisture: Moisture can make the pods mold. It's essential to store them in a dry place.
Maintain a stable temperature: Ideally, storage temperature should be between 15°C and 20°C (59°F to 68°F). Avoid sudden temperature changes.
Culinary Ideas
What Pairs Well with Vanilla?
Vanilla adds a unique aromatic depth that can elevate a simple dessert or dish into something truly special. It’s an incredibly versatile spice that pairs beautifully with a wide range of ingredients — both sweet and savory.
In sweet dishes:
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Chocolate: white, dark, or milk
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Fruits: berries, apple, pear, apricot, lemon, coconut
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Nuts and seeds: almond, hazelnut, pistachio
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Others: caramel, coffee, praline
In savory dishes:
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White meats: chicken, veal (such as in a vanilla-infused blanquette)
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Fish and seafood: vanilla can add a subtle, exotic touch
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Vegetables: cauliflower, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash
Chef’s Tips
Zero-Waste Tip: What to Do with Used Vanilla Pods from Brittany
Vanilla sugar: After using the seeds, place the empty pods in a jar of sugar to create fragrant vanilla sugar. Another option: bake the pods at a very low temperature (no more than 50°C / 122°F) for 10 to 15 minutes. Let them cool, then grind into a fine vanilla powder you can use in all your recipes.
Reuse: The pods can be reused several times to infuse liquids.
Homemade vanilla extract with your Breton vanilla: Split the used pods and place them in a glass bottle. Cover with alcohol (rum or vodka) and let steep for at least two months. Shake the bottle occasionally.
Infused rum: You can also add your used vanilla pods to homemade infused rums along with fruits.
These methods help you make the most of your vanilla pods — adding a delicious touch to your desserts and culinary creations.
