Singapore-Grown Vanilla?
Mireia Bets on a Home-Harvested Future
In the beginning, growing vanilla was a home-based experiment, but over time, this couple transformed Mireia into a Singaporean business that the whole country can support.
15 November 2025
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Gardens by the Bay then reached out to Mireia to showcase their vanilla as part of a Singapore nature-and-innovation story | Photo Credit: Mireia
Gardens by the Bay then reached out to Mireia to showcase their vanilla as part of a Singapore nature-and-innovation story | Photo Credit: Mireia
At first, it seems incongruous that a plant originally from Mexico, known to be highly difficult and labour-intensive to grow and nurture, has found its place in Singapore’s small agriculture scene. But this is the case with vanilla company Mireia. Starting with just SGD$100 and 10 vanilla vines at home as an experiment, Mireia has become Singapore’s leading vanilla producer, now a company worth several million dollars with over 3,500 plants.
“It really started as a small family passion project,” says co-founder Charles Santoso.
“My wife (co-founder Juwita Maha Ranni Setiawan) loves vanilla and is the one who had the idea to grow it in the first place, in 2019. Initially, we were inspired by our children’s love for plants and nature. Over time, we discovered that Singapore’s tropical climate was very suitable for cultivating vanilla.”
The family project grew into a mission to find ways to grow vanilla sustainably in Singapore. But it wasn’t easy.
“Vanilla is known as one of the world’s most delicate plants,” explains Charles. “Each flower blooms for just one day, and we must hand-pollinate it during that short window — it’s a test of patience and care. Singapore’s limited land space was also a challenge, so we had to learn to grow efficiently and creatively, work together and collaborate with hotels, restaurants and institutions who were willing to support us.”
Co-founders Charles Santoso and Juwita Maha Ranni Setiawan are the husband-wife duo behind Mireia | Photo Credit: Mireia
Co-founders Charles Santoso and Juwita Maha Ranni Setiawan are the husband-wife duo behind Mireia | Photo Credit: Mireia
Charles figures it took them about two to three years to figure out how best to grow their vanilla. The soil mixture was a big issue, as Singapore’s soil is more clay-rich. It took some experimentation to find the right soil mix.
In 2021, Mireia gained a valuable ally in Gardens by the Bay. “Our collaboration began from a shared vision — to show that vanilla can grow sustainably even in the heart of the city,” he says. “They were having their 10th anniversary with the Mexican Embassy. Because vanilla is thought to have originated in Mexico, the embassy suggested they should have some vanilla plants there.” Gardens by the Bay then reached out to Mireia to showcase their vanilla as part of a Singapore nature-and-innovation story.
Mireia’s homegrown vanilla products | Photo Credit: Mireia
Mireia’s homegrown vanilla products | Photo Credit: Mireia
Vanila bean at hand | Photo Credit: Mireia
Vanila bean at hand | Photo Credit: Mireia
Charles is very grateful for their support, noting that one of the main issues in Singapore is the high cost of land rental. Even though vanilla plants do not take up much space compared to other plants, securing space has been hard. However, Mireia has found other partners in luxury hotels such as Four Seasons Singapore, Fairmont Singapore, and The Fullerton Hotel, which reached out to them in 2023 and 2024, offering to house their vanilla plants in their gardens.
This partnership has led the hotel chefs to use Mireia’s homegrown vanilla in their cooking. “Many chefs were surprised to learn that vanilla could actually be grown here in Singapore,” says Charles. “They appreciated not only the quality but also the meaning behind it — that it’s locally grown and full of heart.
Our journey with St. Regis Singapore started when we shared some of our beans for them to try, and they fell in love with the aroma.” The product featured in the hotel’s desserts during Marriott Bonvoy’s recent Luxury Dining Series, which focused on forgotten flavours and culinary heritage.
Since then, Mireia has worked with Fairmont Singapore and The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, as well as other companies looking to support local, sustainable products. “Each collaboration reminds us how far our little backyard dream has come,” Charles says fondly.
Interestingly, the brand has also expanded into a range of vanilla products. This includes drip coffee infused with vanilla, as well as powdered vanilla. “We wanted to create products that are original, easy to use, and truly gourmet. Something you can enjoy every day, not only for special occasions,” explains Charles. “I personally love coffee and tea, and I wanted to bring the experience of real vanilla into something simple, comforting, and part of daily life.”
He also adds that real vanilla is gentle, grounding and good for the body. “By creating products that are pure, clean, and thoughtfully crafted, we want people to feel that Mireia is not just delicious, but also good for you, good for your health.”
He avoids artificial vanilla because of its simple flavour. In contrast, real vanilla boasts 250 distinct notes, offering a richer and smoother experience. At their Science Park site, Mireia currently cultivates five varieties of vanilla: planifolia, Tahiti, pompona, odorata, and aphylla. “Singapore vanilla is unique. The tropical climate gives it warm, deep, and naturally creamy notes. The aroma is more floral and rounded, and the flavour lingers longer on the palate.”
Vanilla can take around four to five years to mature, and then another year for curing and processing, so part of Mireia’s work is to manage continuity and sustainability. To do so, their vanilla is grown across multiple small farms in Singapore and a corporate farm overseas, enabling continuous cultivation in cycles. “By staggering our planting — meaning different vines are at different stages of growth — we have a steady pipeline instead of waiting for one single harvest. This way, we can maintain quality and consistency, while still growing our own vanilla for the long term.”
Mireia’s vanilla growing in Four Seasons Singapore’s gardens | Photo Credit: Mireia
Mireia’s vanilla growing in Four Seasons Singapore’s gardens | Photo Credit: Mireia
This year, Mireia will secure its Vanilla Processing Centre in Singapore and obtain Halal Certification for its products. Charles hopes to continue expanding their partnerships with hotels and resorts, including an upcoming one with Mandai Rainforest Resort. While Charles manages a front-facing role, meeting potential partners and sharing the brand story, Juwita works on the foundations of the brand, building the systems and structures that he describes as “holding the business steady.” “Juwita, the emotional core of Mireia — the warmth, the family, the meaning. She ensures that everything we do stays true to who we are and why we started. We balance each other — I move outward, she holds the heart.”
Photo Credit: Mireia
Photo Credit: Mireia
Author: Karen Fong
Karen Fong is a Singapore-based writer and editor who has previously spent time in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Canada. She writes parenting, lifestyle and travel content and has worked with publications including The Singapore Women’s Weekly, DestinAsian, Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia and Prestige Hong Kong.