Blog

The Christmas pickle: The true story of the pickle on the tree

Millions of Americans believe it is an ancient German custom, yet 91 percent of Germans have never heard of it: we uncover the secret of the Christmas pickle, tell its four legends and show you whi...

Inge-Glas: 15 generations of glassblowers, from Lauscha to Neustadt

From the glassworks in Lauscha in 1597 to an escape in 1951 and the manufactory in Neustadt near Coburg: we tell the story of the Müller-Blech glassblowing family and show you how to recognise genu...

Eau de toilette, eau de parfum or extrait: What is the difference?

Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum or Extrait? We explain what the concentrations really mean, why an Extrait does not automatically smell louder and which version suits which moment – from Farina's Co...

Xerjoff from Turin: Meteorites, pharaoh caps and rock 'n' roll

Rock crystal, meteorites and a cap modelled on a pharaoh's crown: we tell how Sergio Momo and Dominique Salvo built Xerjoff in Turin, and which scent is the best place to start.

The best woody fragrances by Ex Nihilo: Peppery, creamy, fast

Peppery, creamy or fast? We present the three woody Ex Nihilo bestsellers The Hedonist Extrait, Santal Calling and Speed Legends – with notes, ratings, prices and a guide to which one suits you.

Akigalawood: What is the peppery wood in perfume?

A wood that never grew on a tree: we explain how Givaudan obtains the peppery Akigalawood from patchouli oil, what it smells like, how to recognise it and which of our fragrances contain it.

Ex Nihilo: Who is behind the Paris perfume house?

Three friends, a boutique on Rue Saint-Honoré and a blending robot called the Osmologue: we tell the story of Ex Nihilo, explain its collections and reveal which fragrance is the best place to start.

Fairmined gold and the German Sustainability Award: The story behind Noën

What Fairmined guarantees, how it differs from Fairtrade and why the jury called Noën a “beacon of ethical jewellery making”.

Over hill and dale: The journey of Noën's Fairmined gold

A breakdown at 4,500 metres, half a llama as a gift and gold brought down by the rain: how Claudia and Malte Schindler found fair gold for Noën.

Join and Love by Noën: Rings for the two of you

Love 5 with “love conquers all” or “stronger together”, Join in matte or polished gold, and a founding couple who have been making jewellery together since 2006.