The fascinating world of fragrances

Did you know that a Polish woman contributed to the development of perfume in Europe? Did you know that ancient Egypt is considered the birthplace of perfume? And did you know that the aroma of jasmine is a combination of nearly 100 different compounds? What other secrets does the universe of fragrances reveal to us? Ubiquitous scents That blissful moment when the aroma of freshly roasted coffee rouses you from sleep. Those moments when you joyfully roam among blooming fields of flowers. Smells surround us everywhere. On the street, in a store, in a café, even in a travel agency or a clinic. The role of scent is invaluable. Not only in the human world. Perhaps especially in the animal world. For example, bees use scent to inform their hive of a threat. Smell as a determinant of survival Since prehistoric times, the sense of smell has aided human survival. Bad odors are usually associated with substances with small molecules. And small molecules are characteristic of the food decomposition process. This helped our ancestors distinguish stale food from healthy food. Perfumes – evolution from the earliest times The origins of perfume date back to prehistoric times, when people experimented with fire, seemingly by accident, throwing twigs rich in fragrant oils into it. This is how they invented incense. Ancient Egypt, in turn, is considered the birthplace of perfume, i.e., liquid and aromatic substances.