Who would have thought vanilla could be so riveting?

Dame Prue Leith

Ever since LittlePod’s launch in 2010, we have been telling the story of REAL vanilla and its ecological value to the planet.

Now, Janet – our Managing Director and founder – has penned the next chapter, quite literally, in what has become a gripping tale.

For the last 15 years, Janet has led LittlePod’s Campaign for Real Vanilla, encouraging home cooks, professional chefs and food manufacturers to use natural ingredients through the development of our natural vanilla paste and other products.

In the process, we have supported communities across the Equatorial Belt and established our collaborative forest orchard in Indonesia, where the LittlePod farmers use a pioneering polyculture system to increase biodiversity, improve soil fertility, and regenerate the rainforest.

This is a story told in Janet’s second book. Real Vanilla: Nature’s Unsung Hero, The Rather Large Story of LittlePod is due to be published by Unicorn this June.

“At a time of societal upheaval around the world, the story of LittlePod reminds us of our interconnectedness and the need to co-operate with trust and patience to save our precious environment,” said Janet. “This book tells the story of how I put my hand up to do my bit, launching LittlePod and our Campaign for Real Vanilla to educate and enlighten people about the value of vanilla, where it comes from and its importance to the planet.

“I launched LittlePod and brought to market our innovative natural vanilla paste in a tube – a product designed to make it easier than ever to use REAL vanilla.

“Thanks to everyone who has supported LittlePod and used our products during the last 15 years, we have helped save vanilla for the next generation and given our farmers a secure future. I’m grateful to everyone who continues to keep it REAL and I am excited to have been able to write this book and tell this important story.”

Real Vanilla: Nature’s Unsung Hero is available to pre-order from Amazon and other online retailers now and will be in bookshops across the UK from June, when it is due to be published. Janet is looking forward to a series of book signings and promotional events this summer, including a UK launch and vanilla-themed dinner at Darts Farm, winners of the Best Farm Shop and Best Farm Restaurant 2025 at the recent Farm Retail Association Awards, and a European launch in Berlin. Janet is also planning to take her book to Tokyo when LittlePod returns to Japan this autumn.

A journey into the flavour of sustainability, this is horticulture with heart.

Sue Medway MBE, Director, Chelsea Physic Garden

Like to find out more about Real Vanilla: Nature’s Unsung Hero? Keep up to date with all our latest news, follow us on Instagram or email Paul at media@littlepod.co.uk