Palermo…as in Sicily
Pronounce Palermo, Pa·ler·mo (puh-lair-moh):
The second city in our Bella Divina collection is Palermo, as in Sicily. Yes, Sicily. Although, I am sure you could technically say Palermo, Italy, I am not sure the Sicilians would like it too much. Sicilians are Sicilians first and then Italians. With their long and turbulent history, it is the one identity they have been able to cling to. Having been controlled by the Roman, Vandal, Byzantine, Islamic, Spanish and Greeks, it is now part of the a Republic of Italy. However, they retain and fiercely guard their own culture.
With Palermo as it’s capital city, the island of Sicily is rich in agriculture, architecture and cuisine. Sicily has such a long history of producing fine wines and noted cuisines that it is nicknamed God’s Kitchen. Perhaps the most delectable favor they have bestowed on the rest of us non-Sicilians is the cannoli – as in “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” Cannoli is plural for cannolo, but who cares, you can’t eat just one!
One of the most unrecognized, yet most ubiquitous Sicilian contributions is the Sweet Pea flower. This lovely little discovery was made by a Francisco Cupani, a botanist and believed to be a Franciscan monk. First recorded as a new plant in Sicily in 1695, it is not certain if it was found in the monastery’s botanical garden that he managed or in the surrounding countryside. The seeds were sent to a botanist in England, cultivated and popularized in English gardens.
Noted for their soft, butterfly-like petals, sweet fragrance and array of colors, the original Sicilian varietal, as well as many others that were discovered soon after, quickly became a gardener’s favorite throughout Europe and North America.
The Sweet Pea or Lathyrus Odoratus means “blissful pleasure.” The literal translation is Lathyros “pea” or “pulse” and the Latin word for “fragrant,” odaratus. Fragrant Pulse.
Known as The Queen of Annuals, it will give you the royal treatment!
We hope you enjoy the essence of Italy:
Palermo Collection:
Body Lotion, Body Wash, Body Butter, Body Polish, Lip Care, Bath Milk, Gifts and Travels sets and more.
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June 30th, 2009 19:27
I’m enjoying your Italy tours! I love the smell of Honeysuckle flower; not familiar with Sweet Pea (though I’ve heard of it). And I just needed to say, thank you for reminding me – I’m due for some cannoli!
July 4th, 2009 22:26
I have always loved the Sweet Pea as did my mother and her mother. I used to grow and enjoy them when we lived in Calif. Sadly, I now truly realize how much I enjoyed them and now miss them because I have never had any luck in cultivating Sweet Peas in Georgia.
Now the closest I can come is the Palermo Collection. Thank Heaven for my Diva daughter…
July 25th, 2009 09:52
I am glad you are enjoying the tour…It is a lot of fun trying to explain my research and decisions on why I chose fragrances for certain cities. I think the classic history of Italy is fascinating, obviously, but it the small details that have always stuck with me. The next time you get to Italy, I bet you’ll remember these garden tours