Mexican Vanilla

Norma Gaya

Gaya Industries, Av Hidalgo 56

Col. Centro, Gutierrez Zomara

Veracruz, Mexico 93350

The Totonac Indians were the pioneers in the development of vanilla, growing it since XII Century (1200 A.D.) in the Totonacapan region. It would not be known to the rest of the Mexican region until 1427, and to the rest of the world in 1521 with the arrival of Hernan Cortes. At this time we are beginning to see an increase in Mexican vanilla production which is known across the globe for its high quality aroma and unique flavor .

The company known nowadays as “Desarrollo Agroindustrial Gaya” (Agroindustrial Development), was founded in 1873 when Domingo Gaia Tossi established a processing plant in order to dry, commercialize, and export the most famous vanilla bean from Veracruz on a world level. In 1898, 25 years later, the tradition continued when the Gaya family built the first oven to process the vanilla beans. Those ovens are still being used to this day. In 1944, Mr. Orlando Gaya Montinin, a grandson of Domingo Gaia began to produce natural vanilla extract. A year later, a small-scale production of vanilla extract, known as “Gaya Vai-Mex”, vanilla liqueur called “Xanath”, and a coffee liqueur “Camino Real” began. These products are the result of carefully-guarded family secrets and to this day are known worlwide as some of the best in their class. In later years the Gaya Vai-Mex company was formed and its members Orlando, Isabel, Italo, and Olga Edda Gaya Capellini proudly continued the family tradition by producing the best vanilla extracts and vanilla liqueurs in the world. “Gaya Vai-Mex”, the natural vanilla extract, and the “Xanath” liqueur are made from the most select vanilla beans, are processed by hand, and are allowed to age with delicate purity there by accentuating its aroma and flavor. Recently, in order to consolidate and integrate the internal production process and maintain a high-quality product, the agriculatural and industrial processes have been combined.