“A handful of pearls thrown into the ocean: the description of the archipelago to which Nosy Be belongs might have been written by Conrad, the great writer on maritime themes. The sea has brought different peoples here, blending languages, colourful costumes and customs. Even patchouli is a new arrival. The island welcomed and enriched it with a myriad of other perfumes”.
On Nosy Be, 8 miles north-west of Madagascar, enchanting fragrances permeate the island air, welcoming travellers with the heady scent of ylang ylang flowers. It is in the shade of this shelter-giving plant that the wonderful story of Nosy Be Patchouli begins. Grown in India, Malaysia and Myanmar, patchouli thrives in the undergrowth away from direct sunlight. It has acclimatised well to the thick vegetation of Nosy Be, thanks to the efforts of growers who love and respect their land.
