Real Vanilla: Nature's Unsung Hero

The Rather Large Story of LittlePod

Published by Unicorn Publishing Group
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

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About The Book

In Real Vanilla, Nature’s Unsung Hero LittlePod’s founder Janet Sawyer tells of her company’s mission over the last fifteen years to save real vanilla which was under threat of being lost within a generation. They have made a huge difference, encouraging the development of vanilla paste in a tube, supporting farming communities in the world’s equatorial regions and educating consumers all around the world about the importance and value of vanilla to the planet. Through LittlePod supporting a pioneering polyculture orchard in Indonesia, it has helped educate future generations about a precious plant that is the heart of sustainability. This is a fascinating story of how a determined woman used the ‘empty nest’ time in her life to build a company whilst learning about biodiversity, supporting farmers’ livelihoods and creating a family of human relationships – fondly known as ‘LittlePodders’.

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Product Details

  • Publisher: Unicorn Publishing Group (August 15, 2025)
  • Length: 224 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781917458030

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Raves and Reviews

“Who would have thought vanilla could be so riveting?”– Dame Prue Leith “LittlePod is a great example of sustainability in action, spanning local and global scales while working across economic, social and environmental dimensions. Doing this is much easier said than done, which is testimony to the leadership and commitment of Janet Sawyer in making such a success of LittlePod and all the lives changed for the better through it.”– Patrick Devine-Wright, Professor of Geography, Exeter University “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.”– David Fursdon, Lord Lieutenant of Devon “A journey into the flavour of sustainability, this is horticulture with heart.”– Sue Medway MBE, Director, Chelsea Physic Garden “We've been using LittlePod vanilla in our cakes since 2011. This exceptional ingredient is our secret weapon, the wind in our flavour sails. It still baffles us how some bakeries are not using real vanilla. They're not real bakeries in our opinion!”– Oliver Coysh, Exploding Bakery “Ever the treat to step into Janet's world. I feel nourished and hopeful.”– Aisha Stenning, Business Action Lead, Circular Economy expert “The story of LittlePod has the makings of a feel-good film, in which local, everyday people pool their hopes, dreams and talents together to create a wildly-successful business based on social consciousness and opportunities for local youth in a small-town setting. What could be better, especially with the inclusion of pure vanilla?”– Patricia Rain, the Vanilla Queen

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