Vanilla Perfumes and Fragrance Notes

An oriental fragrance

Vanilla

Derived from orchids in the genus Vanilla. Vanilla is a sweet, warm spice which is generally taken from pods of the flat leaved plant. Vanilla perfumes typically feel comforting in nature.

To make the plants grow the fruit from which the spice is obtained, pollination is required. It was in 1837 that Belgian botanist Charles Francois Antoine Morren decided to pioneer an artificial method of pollinating the plant. Unfortunately this method proved unworkable financially and was not used commercially.

Just four years later, there was a 12 year old child, Edmund Albius, who was a slave living on the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean. The young botanist discovered that the plant could be hand pollinated and it was this method that allowed global cultivation of the plant. In today’s world, a worker can pollinate 1000 to 1500 flowers per day.

Growing the seed pods is labour intensive and therefore this spice is the second most expensive spice in the world, after Saffron.

Three species of vanilla

Across the globe there are three major species of vanilla that are grown, all three species originated from Mesoamerica and parts of Mexico.

The three species are:

  • Planifolia is grown in Madagascar, Reunion and tropical areas along the Indian Ocean. V Planifolia also makes up the majority of the world’s vanilla.
  • Tahitensis is grown in the South Pacific. It is grown in the South Pacific and has a vine which grows on trees and has zig-zag stems, narrow leaves as well as yellow, green flowers which develop into bunches of pods.
  • Pompona can be found in the West Indies, Central America, and South America. It is a source of flavouring and is also suitable for use in cosmetics.

Vanilla perfumes and other uses

Vanilla is commonly used to add an aromatic flavouring agent to both home and commercial baking. It is the most used flavour in foods and baked goods which is due to its sweetness and ability to enhance other flavours.

In perfumery, this spice is not just used for its sweetness. The comforting fragrance is likely to be one of the most easily-recognised perfume ingredients of all.

In Aromatherapy it can help you relax and lift your mood. It can also soothe inflammation and offer an antioxidant which helps repair the body.

Men’s Fragrances containing Vanilla