Índia 1498 – Route of Spices

Route of Spices — where scents shaped the world.

India 1498 marks the moment Portugal connected Europe directly to the riches of the East, not in search of land, but in pursuit of aroma, flavor, and exchange. This soap draws inspiration from Vasco da Gama’s historic voyage to India, a journey unlike any other of the Age of Discovery, one driven by spices, trade, and cultural encounter rather than conquest. It is a tribute to the route that transformed Portugal into a global maritime power.

The fragrance opens with vibrant notes of bergamot, black pepper, neroli, rose, and coriander, echoing the first impressions of distant markets filled with unfamiliar scents. At its heart, jasmine, orris, rose, and orange blossom unfold softly, evoking the refinement and complexity of Indian ports where cultures, goods, and ideas met. These layers create a floral–spiced harmony that feels both exotic and timeless.

As the scent settles, warm base notes of vanilla, caramel, musk, and labdanum emerge, rich and lingering like the precious cargo once carried back to Lisbon’s docks. Índia 1498 – Route of Spices is an invitation to slow down and experience history through scent a sensorial journey inspired by the voyage that changed global trade forever.