The Story of LittlePod
Fascinated with vanilla, aka Black Gold, and its unique history, LittlePod’s founder, Janet Sawyer MBE BEM, sought to discover why its future hung in the balance. She found that 97% of vanillin used in the West is artificial, that real vanilla could be lost within a generation and that consumers themselves had lost touch with this magical ingredient.
Founded in 2010, the company resolved to highlight vanilla’s value to the world. More than a decade later, our passion for giving it a voice remains undimmed. Our Campaign for Real Vanilla has touched chefs and home cooks around the globe and fostered a family of LittlePodders!
2024
Taking our Campaign for Real Vanilla back to Tokyo! We exhibit LittlePod’s products at Foodex Japan, Asia’s largest food trade show.
2025
Writing the next chapter in the LittlePod story! Real Vanilla: Nature’s Unsung Hero – Janet’s second book – is published.
2023
Royal recognition for LittlePod once again as we’re named amongst the first winners of the King’s Award for Enterprise (Sustainable Development).
2023
Realising a long-held dream. We celebrate International Real Vanilla Day with the farmers at our collaborative orchard in Bali.
2022
Our new website is launched and, thanks to Made’s efforts in Indonesia, we harvest the first vanilla pods from the LittlePod orchard.
2020
Going global – we toast the launch of LittlePod Japan in Tokyo as National Real Vanilla Day becomes an international affair.
2020
Time to increase production as our new custom-made machine arrives from Italy! This allows us to fill 45 natural vanilla paste tubes per minute and keep up with growing demand for our products.
2020
Royal approval for LittlePod! Janet is awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of LittlePod’s services to international trade, sustainability and exports.
2019
International recognition as LittlePod wins a prestigious award at Kosherfest in New Jersey. In the UK, we’re named Export Champions by the Department for International Trade.
2018
On presenting LittlePod with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise (Sustainable Development), David Fursdon, the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, said “Isn’t it fantastic that a small company in a village in East Devon can reach out and impact the world whilst doing social good at home?”
2014
October 17th becomes the most-important date on the LittlePod calendar as our ambassador, Charlotte White, helps launch National Real Vanilla Day with our inaugural event at Bickleigh Castle.
2013
Our Campaign for Real Vanilla goes from strength to strength as we open LittlePod HQ, our first purpose-built office and production unit in Farringdon.
2012
The start of a fruitful friendship as, along with Dr Made Setiawan, our vanilla farmer, we plant our first vines and establish the LittlePod orchard in Indonesia.
2012
Janet receives the British Empire Medal in recognition of her services to culture and employment in East Devon. We launch LittlePod’s vanilla beer to celebrate.
2010
LittlePod’s launch and the start of our adventure! We unveil our Campaign for Real Vanilla for the first time at Foodies Festival at Hampton Court.