TGF Rated Review: Ndali Fairtrade Vanilla Pods

What is it? The Ndali Estate is a mixed tropical farm in the Ndali Volcanic Field, Western Uganda. The farm specialises in producing high quality fairtrade vanilla extract and vanilla pods. The pods are blanched, sweated and reheated in the tropical sunshine, then slowly fermented in wooden boxes over a period of months to develop their complex aroma. As well as growing their own vanilla, Ndali also buy from local fairtrade farmers. They pay their farmers a price for their vanilla which covers their true production costs and gives a fair profit margin, plus a premium which goes towards community development.

Who is testing it? Me

In use: The Ndali Vanilla Pods came in a stylish glass tube. They look great and would make a lovely present for a foodie lover. The Vanilla Pods themselves are very soft and moist, not at all dry. They looked and smelt gorgeous and I couldn’t wait to try them. I used the Ndali vanilla pods in a Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall custard ice-cream recipe. They are full of lots of little tiny vanilla seeds which added a really wonderful, intense vanilla flavour to our ice-cream.

Any negatives? Absolutely none

Price and Availability: Ndali Vanilla Pods come in packs of two. They are available from Tropical Wholefoods (£4.95) and Greenlife (£4.35). They are also available for £4.29 at Tesco. Ndali also produce Intense Vanilla Pods and Vanilla Extract.

Overall: These are high-quality vanilla pods, with a fantastic aroma and taste. It’s great to know they are produced by a fairtrade company that cares about its farmers and their communities.

Verdict: 5/5

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3. TGF Rated Review: The Co-operative Truly Irresistible Fairtrade Chocolate Sauce
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