But terpenes can also be dangerous to a plant itself, Whitehill says, and so in firs, for example, these chemicals are sequestered away from the rest of the tree’s tissue in a protective liquid botanists call resin. The thick liquid is kept in specialized ducts in the outer bark and needles where it can be oozed out as the tree needs, such as to patch an injury and reduce the likelihood of infection. It hardens when exposed to air, and it’s what makes your hands sticky after handling a Christmas tree.

— Read more in What Gives Christmas Trees Their Crisp, Cozy Scent? at Scientific American.

Coriander is a common but profoundly divisive herb. Depending on how your palate reads it – a response determined by the OR6A2 gene – it either elevates a taco or tastes like soap. That divide exists within fragrances too. But before you take a side, you have to know what’s in the mix: is it the leaf, which smells herbaceous and a little metallic; or seed, more akin to light spice and rosewood?

— Read more in Controversial coriander is having a fragrance renaissance at Financial Times.

One of the biggest predicted fragrance trends of 2025 is watermelon perfume, with data suggesting a 61.7 percent increase in searches for the fruity scent. We’re hoping to see some exciting new watermelon perfume launches in the new year.

— Read more in The Biggest Fragrance Trends You’re Going to See in 2025 at NewBeauty.