Every passionate fragrance lover understands that scents add color to our lives. They evoke memories, shape experiences, and influence our emotions in powerful ways. Fragrances can seduce, comfort, excite, disgust, or even instill fear. Smell carries meaning—but how much do we actually know about this fascinating sense?

This book explores the world of scent through the lenses of language, culture, evolution, biology, history, and psychology in the Low Countries. Readers will discover the remarkable science behind molecules and olfactory receptors, uncover the scents that trigger attraction and aversion, and learn about iconic Dutch fragrance traditions, historical perfume houses such as Boldoot, and even forgotten scent-related expressions.

The book also raises intriguing questions: What are typically Dutch smells? Does scent heritage exist? And what happens when we suddenly lose our sense of smell?

Blending scientific insight with cultural history, the author takes readers on an aromatic journey ranging from roses to urine—and everything in between.

LABO-NOIR Note: Compared to Frank Bloem's books, this title is slightly more technical in nature, but highly recommended for anyone who views fragrance as more than perfume alone and wants to explore scent from a broader cultural, historical, and scientific perspective.