Odor

Hiram Green shows off some of the raw essences that go into his perfumes. He's at Twisted Lily, a fragrance boutique in Brooklyn.

Independent perfumers are making a big splash in the fragrance world

Lifestyle

Cheese buyers aren’t the only ones who want small-batch artisanal products these days: The perfume world is just as hungry for small shops that crank out their own unique scents. But getting into the game requires a lot of self-education and patience.

"Smells of Auld Reekie on a very breezy day in 2011" -- Kate McLean's smell map of Edinburgh.

This graphic designer makes ‘smell maps’ of cities around the world

"Smells of Auld Reekie on a very breezy day in 2011" -- Kate McLean's smell map of Edinburgh.

This graphic designer makes ‘smell maps’ of cities around the world

A trillion different roses would all smell sweet — and different

Environment

Research looks at science behind the smell of fear

Environment
The World

Gene Test Offers Whiff of Hope

Environment

Genetic tests allow doctors to diagnose disease, but the knowledge of what’s in your DNA doesn’t always help in the way one might hope. Reporter Ari Daniel Shapiro of our partner program NOVA has the story of one man and his unusual gene.

The World

Emerging Science Note/Stinky Bloom

Scientists find the origin of the world’s biggest, smelliest flower.

The World

Eau d’ Fragrance Fears

Does a rose by any other name smell as sweet? The manufactured smell of a rose may come with some hidden chemical thorns. A new report suggests a number of unlisted ingredients in fragrance products may cause harm.

Bees’ Burden/Emerging Science Note

Recent research has found that air pollution is killing flowers’ smell, making it hard for bees to find food and spread pollen.

The World

Thawing Scents

Commentator Verlyn Kinkenborg tells us why he knows when spring has come to his home in rural New York. He can smell the skunks again.