Vanilla originated in Mexico, where the Aztecs used it to soften the bitterness of chocolate. There were many European attempts to cultivate the pods outside of its original cradle. Louis XIV fell in love with it and wanted to cultivate it on Bourbon Island, in Reunion. But all attempts under his reign failed. No one knew how to fertilize vanilla outside its native range. Europeans were unaware that the Mexican bee Melipona was responsible for pollination. Indeed, thanks to it, the orchid provides a long, green fruit commonly called a vanilla pod.
Gourmet and suave, Melipona is a fragrance that opens elegantly with woody and vanilla notes and gives way to sugared amber notes in the background.
