Vanilla originated in Mexico, where the Aztecs used it to soften the bitterness of chocolate. Many European attempts were made to cultivate the pods outside its native habitat. Louis XIV fell in love with it and wished to cultivate it on Bourbon Island, Réunion. But all attempts during his reign failed. No one knew how to pollinate vanilla outside its native range. Europeans were unaware that the Mexican bee, Melipona, was responsible for pollination. Indeed, thanks to this bee, the orchid produces a long, green fruit commonly known as a vanilla pod.
Rich and sweet, Melipona is a fragrance that opens elegantly with woody and vanilla notes, giving way to oriental and amber base notes.
Top notes: Bourbon vanilla;
Heart notes: Cashmere wood, amber;
Base notes: Crystal amber, musk, vanilla sugar;
Perfumer: Serge De Oliveira, Robertet
