Oldest Vanilla Pod in Europe found in Prague

[Paul Ferguson]

"Rudolf II’s court, a passionate collector of exotic objects, may have acquired the spice through merchants operating between Spain, Italy, and the territories of the Holy Roman Empire. Another possibility is that the vanilla was linked to alchemical experiments being conducted in Prague at that time. Vanilla was considered a rare and valuable ingredient, so it may have been used in the preparation of tonics or perfumes."


https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2025/0...ue-castle/