The locations read like the contents of an exotic holiday brochure: Tahiti, Madagascar, Reunion, Seychelles and the Gulf Coast of Mexico - all of them inextricably linked with the story of Vanilla the world's most versatile flavour. unlocked by a 12 year African slave in 1841. Aristocrats, apothecaries and modern day tycoons have all chased The Luscious Substance' - and the wealth it brings. history - a value that places is at the centre of a secretive to life these faraway, fascinating, misunderstood places. Confirming the promise of his debut, Neutral Buoyancy, this is travel writing of the highest order.