Fragrant memories: a scented journey through my childhood

The scents of my childhood are a mix of heritage, love, and cherished memories. Growing up as a blend of Italian and Colombian, my early years were steeped in a rich sensory experience that continues to shape my life to this day. In this blog I want to share with you my top three earliest fragrant memories that I cherish deeply in my heart.

One of my earliest olfactory memories is that of my Colombian grandmother's skin, musky and comforting. She was the embodiment of warmth and love, her embrace leaving an indelible imprint on my senses.

Then there was the distinctive aroma of the crostata dish, a traditional Italian dessert lovingly crafted by my nonna. The scent of buttery crust mingled with sweet fruit filling always transport me back to her kitchen, where she shared her secret recipe with me just a few years ago.

But perhaps the most intriguing part of my childhood was spent in the corridors of the Vatican City Pharmacy, where my grandparents managed the perfumery for nearly 25 years. After school, my nonno (grandfather) would pick me up and take me there, patiently waiting for my parents to collect me. The air was redolent with the spicy, warm fragrance of "Fatebenefratelli Elixir di Anici," a liquor brewed by the friars in the basement. Its complex aroma, with hints of licorice and almond, lingered in my memory long after I left.

To this day, my family still enjoys this unique elixir, each sip a reminder of those cherished moments spent in the heart of Vatican City. These common scents of my childhood have undoubtedly influenced my decision to embark on a journey in the fragrance industry. They have taught me that scent is not just a sensory experience but a gateway to the past, a way to connect with our roots and the ones we love!