Vanilla is one of those scents that stirs something deep within us. It’s at once warm, soft, comforting, and sensuous. We choose to work with pure vanilla extract in many of our formulas, not just for its delicate sweetness but also for its aromatherapy benefits. It evokes calm and pleasure every time you breathe it in. And it blends well with a lot of essential oils, giving body to citrus, softening cardamom and rounding out florals.
But even though vanilla seems to be everywhere, it actually has a fascinating story. Vanilla was used in ancient rituals, sacred traditions, and has one of the most intricate agricultural journeys in the world. Not to mention, it’s one of the most expensive plants in the world!
Did you know vanilla is an orchid?
Vanilla is the only edible fruit of the orchid family, the largest family of flowering plants on Earth. There are over 150 varieties of vanilla, but only two are widely used today: Bourbon and Tahitian. Both descend from the original species, Vanilla planifolia, native to Mexico and Central America.
For centuries, wild vanilla orchids thrived in the lush tropical forests along Mexico’s Gulf Coast and deep into South America. The Totonaca people were the first to cultivate and revere this extraordinary plant, believing it was a sacred gift from the gods. Even before it became a beloved flavor, vanilla flowers and beans were used in rituals, fragrances, and protective amulets.
From Sacred Tradition to Global Treasure
Vanilla’s journey from sacred plant to global obsession began in the 1500s, when Spanish explorers brought it back to Europe from Mexico. At first, it was prized as a perfume, its aroma considered rare and exotic. It wasn’t until much later that Europeans began using it to flavor foods and drinks, which they learned from the Olmeca and Aztec peoples, who paired vanilla with cacao in rich ceremonial beverages.
For centuries, Mexico held the monopoly on vanilla production and that’s probably what you’re most familiar with. But by the 19th century, cultivation spread to Madagascar, Réunion Island, and later to Tahiti and other equatorial regions. As revolution raged through Mexico, Madagascar became the leading world-producer and remains so today. Tahitian vanilla, known for its delicately floral, fruity complexity, remains one of the most sought-after and expensive varieties, expensive because production has remained small there. Most beans sold in Mexico today are actually from Madagasgar. We use vanilla extract from Madagascar for its bold, full-bodied aroma.
Why Real Vanilla Is So Rare and So Expensive
Vanilla is considered the most labor-intensive crop in the world: It can take up to three years after planting for the first flowers to bloom. Each blossom opens for only one day and must be hand-pollinated to bear fruit.
The long, green pods then require nine months to mature on the vine, and even after harvest, they’re not ready yet. To develop their deep, intoxicating aroma, the beans undergo a meticulous curing process involving weeks of sun-drying, sweating, and each vanilla pod is hand massaged every day. Next, an extract is painstakingly made using alcohol to draw out the delicious aroma. By the time it reaches us, it’s a dark, intensely aromatic liquid and one of the world’s most valuable ingredients.
We purchase all of our vanilla from Patracia Rain, known worldwide as the Vanilla Queen. She’s spent decades learning about vanilla, traveling to farms and personally knows the farmers and the entire industry. She even wrote an entire book on vanilla that I highly recommend reading.
A Note from Patricia Rain, The Vanilla Queen:
“While it is possible that it is pure vanilla, the chances are more than 99% that it is not pure. Mexico once produced beautiful vanilla beans but the vanilla industry is now almost gone. 100 percent of so-called extracts made there, as well as in the Caribbean and in Latin America, are imitation. They may smell good because they don’t contain alcohol (or contain only 2% alcohol) but they are made from chemicals and are not pure vanilla.”
Vanilla and Aromatherapy
There’s a reason vanilla’s scent is so universally loved: it’s deeply tied to comfort, memory, and emotion. Research shows that vanilla’s aroma can help create calm and reduce anxiety. It’s also tied with feelings of sensuality- vanilla is sexy! When you inhale the delicate, sweet notes of pure vanilla, something softens. It feels grounding yet indulgent, sensual and a quiet invitation to pause and savor the moment.
Vanilla is so much more than a scent we love- it’s part of our philosophy. We believe your skincare rituals should nourish your skin and your senses. Every time you apply one of our formulas featuring vanilla, we want you to feel grounded, cared for, and connected to something timeless and beautiful.
Our Commitment to Pure Vanilla
Because vanilla is in such high demand, 98% of the vanilla used worldwide is synthetic. But at aos Skincare, we choose to source pure, natural vanilla extract. We have never used imitation vanilla and we never will.
A single drop carries centuries of history and a story that began long before us. We’re honored to continue it and to share it with you.
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