Curacao

The earliest human remains found on this island date to 2.400 B.C., but settlement didn't begin until about 600 A.D. when a branch of Arawak Indians crossed the sea from the South American continent in burned-out canoes called Cayucos.

We learned from etchings left on the walls of the island's caves that they lived a peaceful existence for almost a millennium until a clash of civilizations from half a world away would change their way of life, and the history of the island, forever.

From Valencia to Laraha

In 1499 Alooso de Ojcda, who had sailed as a lieutenant of Christopher Columbus, along with Amerigo Vespucci and Juan de la Cosa discovered an island of giants he called "Isla de los Gigantcs*. One theory is the island s name came from Portuguese cartographers blending its Spanish name - Corazon" - heart* with their words for heart* - "coracao" and 'healing' - "cura" after ill sailor likely suffering from scurvy, made a remarkable recovery after eating Laraha island fruit. 12 years later. Valencia orange trees from Spain were planted on Curacao, but the sizzling sun and arid climate were too much for the colorful sweet oranges, and the trees were left to wither in the wild as their fruit evolved into a bitter reflection of its former glory. A few centuries later, it would find redemption as a fruit the locals called Jaraha".

Senior family

Many were marranos - Jews who converted to Christianity to escape persecution during the Spanish Inquisition, but secretly practiced Judaism. Some fled to Holland, and others to Brazil. Several sons of Mordecha i Senior, who was born in Amsterdam in 1620, emigrated to Curacao, where one of their descendants would later, and literally, stumble upon the idea for a liqueur after stepping on a laraha orange 6 smelling the fragrant aroma released from the etheric oils in the broken peel. After experimenting with various exotic spices, Edgar Senior founded Senior ?r Co. in 1896,6 using a specially-ordered copper still which is in use to this day.

Curacao's Jewish community

In 1634. when the Dutch took control of Curacao from Spain, an interpreter with the fleet became the first Jewish person to set foot on the local islands. His name was Samuel Cohen and he arrived from Amsterdam. In 1659, a group of 70 Sephardic Jews from the Portuguese congregation of Amsterdam emigrated to Curacao 6 brought with them the first Sefer Torah. A handwritten version of the Jewish Holy Book dating to the early 1300s in Amsterdam and housed it in the Synagogue Mikvc Israel Emanuel, built in 1732. Because of the Senior family's place in Curacao's Jewish community, it was important for them to seek kosher certification for their Curacao of Curacao liqueur. Following stringent testing of all the raw materials used, including the alcohol, the kosher certification was granted.

An air conditioner in a bottle

Id 1948. the Senior family's Curacao Laboratories Ltd. wanted to make an affordable 6 fragrant source of cooling "an air conditioner in a bottle" This icy menthol blast has become a household name throughout the Caribbean, called Alcolado Glacial.

More than just a cooling after-shave splash, people use Alcolado Glacial to prevent or relieve mosquito bites, soothe headaches, or use in the hath. Our essential oils. 75% denatured alcohol 6 more filter for 4 hours before bottling 6 shipping globaly.

Landhuis chobolobo

First known as "dc Zoutpan" or "Salt Pan", named for the salt marsh around it, Landhuis Chobolobo was built in the late 1700 s on about 10 hectares or about 2 acres of land. Early details have been lost to history, but it is known that in 1796, the free mullato Anna Metthcw became the owner of the house and the name Sebollobo was on it.