During the Renaissance, perfume became an indispensable element of personal care among the wealthier classes, re-emerging from the mists of the Middle Ages to regain the pomp and importance it had enjoyed in ancient times. The history of perfume is intertwined with the history of Florence and that of Catherine de' Medici, a Florentine, great-granddaughter of Lorenzo de' Medici, known as the Magnificent, later Queen of France. In Florence, the use of perfume was already widespread among noble ladies. In the convents of major Italian cities, including Florence, there was at least one alchemist friar who dedicated himself to processing herbs and extracting essences for creating perfumes. Catherine de' Medici had her own personal perfumer, Renato Bianco, also a Florentine. A controversial alchemist, Renato learned the secrets of herbal distillation from the monks, as well as the secrets of the art of perfumery, becoming the most important master of the time. It was Catherine de' Medici who, when she married the King of France, Henry of Orleans, brought with her an entire court of artists who excelled in all the arts, including her personal perfumer, Renato Bianco, renamed in France René Florentin.

Based on this ancient Florentine tradition, ERBE SPEZIE FIRENZE creates its scented lines, recalling Florence to its original fragrances.