Q: We’re excited to feature Norohy in this edition of FHA Insider. Could you please provide our readers with a brief overview of your company and the range of products you offer?
Committed talent scout, intermediary of talents, and revealer of inspired creations, Norohy highlights this exceptional raw material from the world’s finest terroirs to the most refined tastings. Thanks to our commitments and a careful selection of our raw material, we guarantee chefs high-quality, responsibly sourced vanilla beans, making the vanilla world more virtuous.
Q: Vanilla is known for its complex flavour profile. What specific attributes of vanilla pods should chefs consider to ensure they’re selecting the highest quality for their pastry and dessert applications?
When selecting vanilla pods for pastry and dessert applications, chefs should focus on the pods’ aroma, which should be rich and fragrant, indicating freshness. The pods should be plump, moist, and flexible, with a dark, glossy appearance, reflecting high vanillin content.
Additionally, the source and ethical production of the vanilla are crucial, as they contribute to both the quality and sustainability of the product. These attributes ensure the vanilla will deliver the depth and complexity needed to enhance any recipe.
Q: With the rise of plant-based and alternative desserts, how does Norohy’s vanilla complement these trends, and what unique applications can you suggest for innovative dessert recipes?
Norohy’s vanilla perfectly complements the rise of plant-based and alternative desserts by enhancing the natural flavours of these creations with its rich, authentic taste. Its versatility allows it to pair seamlessly with a variety of plant-based ingredients, adding depth and complexity to dairy-free creams, nut-based crusts, and fruit-forward desserts. With our commitment to quality and traceability, chefs can confidently use Norohy vanilla to create innovative desserts that align with modern dietary trends while maintaining exceptional flavours and ethical sourcing.
Q: Sustainability and ethical sourcing are crucial in today’s food industry. How does Norohy ensure that your vanilla production processes are environmentally responsible and socially ethical?
Our approach is based on the three principles that guide both our range’s development and our actions: inform others, create, and bring together.
- Inform others, and share vanilla cultures and expertise, as well as for other natural aromas.
In offering you a range of vanilla beans with different origins, we want to showcase the diversity of terroirs and aromatic profiles. Why? Because there isn’t one vanilla but several! We are also keen to highlight our coffee and orange blossom water’s original terroirs, places whose ancestral skills have helped to make our ingredients special. To honour our commitments to transparency and traceability, we rely on teaching on-the-ground knowledge wherever we can so that we have a positive impact on the environment and the development of both local communities and their unique skills.
- Create new benchmark products, involve you in our approach to product development and continue to inspire you.
Our product development approach is based on several strong beliefs. These include cutting out any superfluous ingredients, guaranteeing aromatic intensity, ensuring an appropriate cost price and remaining as faithful as possible to the original product’s organoleptic signature. We regularly share recipes produced in collaboration with the pastry chefs at L’Ecole Valrhona so that we can keep inspiring you with original creations.
- Bring together everyone involved in vanilla, from producers to end users, so that everyone helps the industry to develop in their own way.
Every day, we seek out new opportunities to forge links between different parts of our value chain, like highlighting our partners’ commitment and work.
Q: Vanilla pods can be used in various forms (e.g., whole, paste, extract). How does Norohy recommend using their vanilla products in professional kitchens to achieve the best flavour outcomes?
We recommend using our vanilla products based on the specific flavour profile you want to achieve. Our organic Madagascan vanilla beans are prized for their high natural vanillin content and intense floral and woody aromas, making them ideal for classic pastry applications. For a more complex aromatic experience, our Tahitian vanilla beans offer rich aniseed and floral notes, with hints of almond and tonka bean, perfect for refined desserts. If you’re looking for a truly unique flavour, our Mexican vanilla beans provide a deep, complex profile with woody, cocoa, and prune notes, ideal for adding depth to sophisticated creations. Each of our vanillas is carefully selected to bring out the best in your culinary work.
Q: FHA-HoReCa is a major event for the HORECA industry. What made this year the perfect time for Norohy to join as an exhibitor and sponsor?
This year was the perfect time for Norohy to join FHA-HoReCa as an exhibitor and sponsor because of our growing commitment to the industry and our desire to showcase our ethically sourced, high-quality products and innovations to a wider audience. The event provided an ideal platform to connect with leading chefs and professionals, share our passion for responsible sourcing, and highlight how our products can elevate culinary creations.
Q: What exciting new products can attendees expect to discover at the Norohy’s booth?
At Norohy, we’re thrilled to launch a new version of Tadoka—our game-changing one-step single-use vanilla. And that’s not all! We’re also brewing something special with new coffee bean paste, but we’ll keep those details under wraps for now. Come by our booth to get a sneak peek at what’s coming next!
To wrap things up on a lighter note, let’s dive into some fun, rapid-fire questions:
• What’s the most creative recipe you’ve seen using Norohy’s products?
One of the most creative recipes we’ve seen using Norohy’s products is the Yuzu Blossom by Chef Alicia Wong from Nesuto Singapore. In this dessert, she masterfully balances flavours by incorporating our orange blossom water with bittersweet notes of chocolate and the vibrant taste of yuzu, inspired by her recent trip to Japan. You can watch the full video on our Instagram.
• Share a lesser-known fact about Norohy that often surprises people.
A lesser-known fact about Norohy is that we have expanded our range beyond vanilla to include floral waters, coffee bean paste, and Tadoka, our one-step vanilla. This broader selection allows chefs to explore even more creative possibilities in their culinary creations.
