BOTANICAL INGREDIENTS Antica Formula stands out thanks to its unique bouquet and its unmistakable notes of the best quality VANILLA from the tropical regions of Madagascar, Papua New Guinea and Tahiti. In fact, only the beans produced by the plant, and no other derivatives, are used in the recipe. Vanilla was known in Aztec times and has appetite-stimulating and digestive properties. The SAFFRON used in Antica Formula is of a very high quality and comes mainly from the plateau areas in Iran. It is found in whole stigmas without any impurities and averages 1.5-2 cm in length. This ingredient is known for its antioxidant properties and for being a precious and very expensive spice: in fact, the stigma of around 150,000 flowers must be picked by hand to obtain one kilogram of saffron. Ancient Persians used the spice as an aphrodisiac. The WORMWOOD used in Antica Formula comes exclusively from the Alps of Piedmont and the Aosta Valley. Under current regulations, Vermouth, in order to be considered as such, must contain absinthe as an ingredient, a situation which actually has an historical basis. Antonio Benedetto Carpano, the inventor of Vermouth, gave a great deal of importance to this raw material in his recipe, even using the German word “Wermuth” (which means wormwood) to identify his product. In this, he was possibly inspired by the works of the German writer Goethe, who had arrived in Italy in 1786 on the start of his travels, and whose writings he greatly admired. BURNT SUGAR is a natural compound that, in addition to the product’s botanical ingredients, draws the many flavours of Antica Formula together thanks to its characteristic aromaticity. burnt sugar is produced by heating sugar on its own, without any additives and under controlled conditions.