Vanilla, Coffee & Drinks

Vanilla — The Black Gold

Madagascar produces 80% of the world's vanilla — and the best quality comes from the SAVA region in the northeast (Sambava, Antalaha, Vohemar, Andapa). The Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar has an incomparably complex aroma: creamy, floral, with notes of chocolate and caramel.

At markets and in vanilla cooperatives, you can buy fresh vanilla pods — significantly cheaper than in Europe (5–15€ for 10 pods, depending on quality and bargaining skills). Look for plump, oily, dark pods with an intense fragrance. Vanilla extract and vanilla sugar are also great souvenirs.

Coffee

Malagasy coffee is excellent and underrated. In the highland regions and on the east coast, Arabica and Robusta varieties grow in small plantations. The coffee is often traditionally roasted over a fire and brewed strong. In Tana, you increasingly find good specialty coffee roasters. A cup of coffee in a café costs 0.30–0.60€.

Drinks

• Three Horses Beer (THB): Madagascar's national beer — a light lager, perfect after a hot day in the rainforest. 0.50–1.50€ depending on the location.
• Ranovola: "Gold water" — the water in which the rice pot bottom is boiled. Slightly nutty, it is drunk with every meal. Free in Hotely.
• Ranon'apango: Similar to Ranovola, but made from burnt rice — darker and stronger.
• Rum Arrangé: Malagasy rum (e.g., Dzama), infused with vanilla, lychees, or tropical fruits. Sweet, dangerously delicious, and popular as a souvenir. From 3€ per bottle.
• Toaka Gasy: Home-brewed rum from sugarcane, produced in every village in the countryside. Strong (up to 50%), rough, and definitely not for every palate.
• Fresh Juices: Mango, passion fruit, pineapple, lemon — freshly squeezed at every street corner for 0.20–0.50€.