{"id":8875,"date":"2023-03-08T14:25:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-08T14:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/masterparfums.com\/?p=8875"},"modified":"2026-10-28T14:21:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T14:21:12","slug":"petrichor-note-perfumery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/masterparfums.com\/en\/petrichor-note-perfumery\/","title":{"rendered":"The Petrichor Note in Perfumery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The term “petrichor” refers to the characteristic smell of the earth after rain. It is a complex phenomenon that gives off a fresh, earthy smell often associated with nature. How is petrichor created? How do perfumers showcase this smell? Master Parfums tells you everything!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Petrichor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The term “petrichor<\/a>” was coined in 1964 by Isabel Joy Bear and Richard Grenfell Thomas, both Australian mineralogists. They combined the Greek words “petra,” meaning stone, and “ichor,” corresponding to the blood of the gods in Greek mythology. The term petrichor refers to the characteristic smell of the earth after rain. It is a combination of volatile organic compounds released by plants, bacteria and fungi when they are wetted by rain striking the dry ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Petrichor<\/a> refers to several elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plant Oil<\/h3>\n\n\n
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The first concerns the oily liquid secreted by plants, which helps protect the seeds and roots of plants by coating them. Indeed, thanks to this plant oil, plants reinforce their natural defences and better withstand periods of drought. This liquid is absorbed by the soil, and during the thermal shock of the cool raindrop falling on the dry, warm ground, a reaction occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geosmin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The second phenomenon concerns geosmin, a volatile molecule produced by soil bacteria, the actinomycetes, when they reproduce. Humans can detect it at very low concentrations, which means that even a small amount of geosmin can give off a very strong smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has a very particular smell, a bit like wet earth or freshly turned soil. Although some may find the smell of geosmin unpleasant, it is in fact very important for the environment. It plays an important role in regulating plant growth and in the nutrition of the animals that live in lakes and rivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the oily plant liquid comes into contact with geosmin, the two smells can mingle to create a unique smell that is often described as very pleasant and soothing. This smell is often associated with freshness and nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ozone<\/h3>\n\n\n
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During thunderstorms, lightning produces ozone, which can remain in the air after the storm, giving the air a fresh, distinctive smell, charged with negative ions. These ions can combine with particles in the air to form aerosols. The combined petrichor molecules are thereby all the more carried through the humid air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anne-Laure, creator of the Master Parfums game, tells you more in a dedicated video<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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