The vanilla fragrance from Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is a warm, sweet, oriental note. The vanilla plant belongs to the botanical family of orchids and originated in Central America. The scent of vanilla evokes a feeling of relaxation, relieves tension, and at the same time promotes well-being. Since antiquity, it has been attributed with aphrodisiac properties. The Aztecs prepared a drink, which they consumed in large quantities, by mixing vanilla (called "Tlixochill", meaning black pod) with cocoa, as a precursor to modern chocolate. Legend has it that Emperor Montezuma offered Hernando Cortez a fragrant drink with a special flavor: it was chocolate scented with vanilla. In the 16th century, Cortez brought chocolate to Spain, from where it later spread throughout Europe.
