Scents 101

MANILA, Philippines - Some useful trivia from Jean Mane on fragrances:

• A single scent contains three notes: top, middle and bottom, all of which you can smell. Top note, the most volatile, is that which evaporates faster. The middle note links the top and bottom note. The bottom note is the most long-lasting and is one that lingers on and evaporates slowly from body.

• Sandalwood is the most popular and most expensive of all the ingredients. There is a huge demand for it but it is very slow-growing. It is also one of the most long-lasting scents.

• The scent of violets was actually created by accident. Perfumers were working with lemon to recreate the scent of the flower and couldn’t quite get it until one of the aides cleaned the flasks used for creating fragrances with a very strong acid.

• We have 500 or more different receptors in our nose, which allows us to perceive a scent differently from someone else.

• Basic fragrance training usually takes three years. Success can come after five years but it usually takes about 20 years to become a master perfumer.