The Oldest Vanilla Pod in Europe, Used in Alchemical Experiments, Discovered at Prague Castle

A recent archaeobotanical study has uncovered an unexpected discovery in the heart of Europe: the oldest evidence of vanilla use on the continent. It is a dried vanilla pod, found in a waste vault in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle, dated between 1513 and 1666. This discovery offers new clues about the introduction and trade of this coveted product, traditionally associated with Mesoamerica, in the Old World.

The vanilla pod was found in a waste deposit within Prague Castle, one of the city’s most iconic structures, which served as an imperial residence in the 16th century. Its radiocarbon dating revealed that the sample belongs to a period spanning from the early 16th century to the late 17th century, coinciding with the reign of Rudolf II, a monarch known for his interest in sciences and alchemy.

Until now, there was no archaeological evidence that vanilla had reached Europe this early. It was known that the vanilla plant (Vanilla planifolia) had been used in Mesoamerica long before the arrival of Europeans. The Mexicas and the Mayans used it to flavor cacao drinks and in religious rituals. However, confirming its presence in Europe at such an early time rewrites the history of spice and exotic product trade following the conquest of the Americas.

Prague Vanilla Castle — First archaeobotanical evidence of desiccated vanilla pod from the vault infill in the Vladislav Hall. Figures was obtained using a Keyence VHX 7000 digital microscope. The modern vanilla pod is shown on the right to compare. Credit: J. Irmišová et al.

To verify the authenticity of the find, the researchers conducted a chemical analysis of the pod using mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography. The results confirmed the presence of vanillic acid and vanillin, the compounds responsible for the characteristic aroma of vanilla. The spectra obtained matched those of modern vanilla, ruling out the possibility that it was another plant species.

Furthermore, the ancient pod was compared with a modern one under a digital microscope, which revealed similarities in their morphology. This analysis solidified the idea that the found sample is indeed a vanilla pod and not an object contaminated with spice residues.

How Did Vanilla Arrive in Prague in the 16th Century?

The discovery raises an intriguing question: How did this vanilla pod make its way to Prague in a period when spice trade was dominated by powers like Spain and Portugal?

We know that Spanish conquistadors introduced vanilla to Europe after the conquest of Mexico in 1521. However, its commercialization on the continent was not widely documented in the 16th century. The most likely hypothesis is that the pod found in Prague arrived via indirect trade networks. 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.

The discovery of this vanilla pod is a key piece in the history of global trade. It confirms that vanilla, like other exotic spices such as cinnamon or cloves, arrived in Europe much earlier than previously thought. It also suggests that the Prague court was connected to trade networks bringing products from the Americas through lesser-known routes.

This finding further supports the idea that the consumption of exotic products in Europe was not limited to the main colonial powers. While Spain and Portugal dominated trade routes, cities like Prague, located in the heart of Europe, also participated in the spread of these goods.

SOURCES

J. Irmišová, J. Frolík, et al., The first discovery of a vanilla pod in Europe: A multidisciplinary record from the early modern period of the Prague Castle. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Volume 63, May 2025, 105099. doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105099