Fragrance is a mixture of chemicals, natural and synthetic, that are deliberately put together to create a particular smell. Perfumes and colognes are examples of fragrances. Scent is the olfactory experience that one feels when they smell a flower, a piece of fruit or a specific animal.
Scents were used for religious purposes in the Middle Ages and perfumery became a major industry in the 17th century when the olfactory sense became more widely available. At the time, perfume was a status symbol restricted to royalty and nobility but the introduction of eau de cologne in the 18th century opened it up to a wider audience.
The process of creating a perfume is complex. Once a perfume concentrate is mixed with alcohol, it undergoes a long maturing and aging process to ensure that the alcohol and perfume combine well. It also allows the nuances of each component to emerge. The perfume is then tested by an expert to see if it has reached the desired level of strength and intensity.
A perfume may contain up to 100 components including a base, middle and top note. Top notes provide a short burst of scent and are usually citrus, light fruits or herbs. Middle notes are the heart of the perfume and give it its body. Base notes provide a sustained fragrance and are typically woodsy, musky or floral.
There is a surprising amount of chemistry behind perfume making. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials set voluntary standards for chemicals used in fragrance products.