Vanilla in perfumes – everything about this gourmand note

The history of vanilla

Vanilla has been used as a flavour enhancer for centuries. There are signs that the spice was used to flavour cocoa drinks as far back as Aztec times. But they were not the first to use vanilla. Even before the Olmeca people on the Gulf coast of Mexico, vanilla was used to create a fine fragrance in temples. Vanilla as a fragrance ingredient has a rich history.

What is vanilla?

Vanilla is a spice descended from the vanilla orchid, a vine that can grow up to 15 metres tall. This plant has beautiful green-white flowers from which ripe fruits bloom. From the pith of these fruits, vanilla is extracted. There are several varieties of vanilla, but vanilla planifolia and vanilla tahitiensis are mainly used in fragrances. Vanilla plantifolia, also called bourbon vanilla, is the most popular and can be recognised by its warm, syrupy character. A long and expensive process precedes the production of quality vanilla. This makes vanilla the second most expensive spice in the world after saffron.

Vanilla from Madagascar

Vanilla only grows in areas bordering the equator and between the two tropics. You have probably heard of vanilla from Madagascar. This is because Madagascar is the largest supplier of vanilla. Until the late 19th century, Mexico was the main producer of vanilla, but after that Madagascar took the lead. Unlike vanilla in Mexico, the vanilla orchid in Madagascar is hand-fertilised. As a result, the scent of Madagascar vanilla is just a little more powerful and has a little more spice.

What does vanilla smell like?

Vanilla smells sweet, spicy and full. The scent of vanilla evokes a comfortable and soft feeling for many and symbolises a sense of security. Vanilla as a perfume ingredient is widely used in gourmand fragrance creations thanks to its creamy and edible character. In perfumes with amber accords, vanilla is often added for extra warmth.

Perfumes with vanilla

Our Skins Experts selected their favourite perfumes in which vanilla plays an important role. There are different ways in which this fragrance note comes into its own beautifully, but perfumes with vanilla always retain that creamy and ambery facet.