Tongan vanilla products introduced to Japanese market [1]
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - 17:58. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Tongan vanilla beans and products processed by Heilala Vanilla will be introduced to the Japanese market after they were displayed for the first time at the World Food and Beverage Expo 2013 in Tokyo in April.
A confectionary company from Kobe, Hon Takasagoya Co. Ltd., specializing in Japanese sweets will feature the Tongan vanilla products in its cake shops, the Embassy of Tonga to Japan stated.
Heilala Vanilla, the Tongan company owned by Jennifer Bogiss and her father John Ross, began operation in 2002 in Vava'u, growing vanilla beans. Their products packaged in New Zealand include pure vanilla extract, vanilla paste, sugar and syrup.
According to the President of Hon Takasugima, Tongan vanilla has a lighter fragrance and they are looking into extending its use to other features of the Japanese market and cuisine.
The expo which targeted Japanese cuisine retailers and wholesalers was held on April 3-5.
Distinctive aroma
On its website, Heilala Vanilla boasts the richest grade of vanilla in the Asia Pacific region with its distinctive aroma, shine and plumpness coveted by chefs all around the world.
An annual crop is brought back from Tonga to the company’s base in Tauranga. Heilala Vanilla is then packaged for each order and dispatched to executive chefs, gourmet food manufacturers and a selection of specialty retail outlets.
Heilala Vanilla received two top awards at the 2011 New Zealand Food Awards. receiving the ‘Food Export’ and the ‘KPMG Best Food Enterprise Innovation’ awards.
Tonga
Tongan restaurateur, Paul Johansson, who markets the Heilala Vanilla products locally in Nuku'alofa, through Friends Cafe and Tours said, "It's a fantastic product."
He said that John Ross had negotiated successfully with Tongan Customs to have the local vanilla content of the Heilala products exempted from duty when they were reimported to Tonga, and this helped to make the price more attractive for tourists and local use. "But we often forget that when we import goods to Tonga that duty and consumption tax are also added on to the freight so it adds to the cost on the local market," he said.