The fabric store in Leuven, a charming town in northern Belgium, smells like hot ironed linen and wool. I come here to buy a piece of colorful cotton for napkins, and I leave with two rolls of Belgian linen. One is the color of wheat husks and summer hay and it feels pleasantly rough under my fingertips. Another bolt is white like freshly fallen snow, and I use a lipstick red thread to embellish it with flowers and leaves.
Scent Diary is a place where we can share fragrances we encounter, good and bad, perfumes we wear and the scents around us. It’s a way to sharpen our sense of smell, but also just to enjoy the fragrance hobby in a richer way. Whether you write down 1 recollection–“I smelled coffee this morning”–or 10 matters less than simply reminding yourself to smell. You can add as many comments as you wish. You can comment today or over the course of the week; this thread will always be open. Of course, do share what perfume you’re wearing or what particularly good scented products you’ve discovered.
I look forward to your scent diaries!
Photography by Bois de Jasmin
153 Comments
Anne-Catherine: Due to the secularisation in Belgium, many churches will have to close. I’ am working on a method to assess the value of church interiors and the objects/works of art they have. An assessing method mentioned that you also have to assess the ‘intangible’ heritage, like the smell of Incense!!! I would add the smell of humidity.
so many connections beween art history and perfume which to me is also an art ( cliché bit true). January 30, 2015 at 7:59am
The Scented Salon: I am sorry to hear about churches closing. I find that hard to believe. I love to enter a church and smell its cold stone and incense. March 6, 2015 at 9:19am
Anne-Catherine: Like Victoria also commented, Some of the catholic churches in Belgium will have to close because of THE decline of catholicism here since the past 40 years. But they also have an important role as part of our culture, our Heritage. That’s why we now have to decide which churches can remain, and which Will have to look for another or new function. March 6, 2015 at 9:49am
angeldiva: Hello!
I am so sorry to hear of your Church’s closing in Belgium. I went thru that in San Francisco about 20 years ago.
We in California stand in solidarity with you, and feel your pain.
My favorite smell at church is the smell of the wooden pews, and the concrete.
Peace be with your Spirits March 6, 2015 at 4:01pm
sandra: I love cloth napkins!
This morning I am drinking a fragrant black tea Marriage Freres. There is a hint of vanilla and I added whole milk and honey. The honey is from our farmer market and has a floral smell.
-Baby head smell (powder)
-Marcel le chat puked on our couch -so the smell of bile and cat food. Then to clean it-a strong disinfectant smell. yuck
-Make up Foundation : gardenia, woodmallow, and Linden blossom
Perfume today- Journey woman. The opening smells like an Arab spice market. The dry down is a sweet honey March 6, 2015 at 7:29am
Austenfan: Which Mariage Frères tea is it? I love quite a few of their flavoured teas. March 6, 2015 at 9:10am
sandra: This one was French Breakfast. I have a few too, any you want to recommend? March 6, 2015 at 9:39am
Austenfan: French Breakfast is a blend I think. Paris Breakfast is another nice one, a flavoured black and green tea has some citrus and vanilla. I love their gourmand flavoured teas, like Wedding Impérial, Thé de Lune, black with fruit,but sophisticated fruit, and Phénix, with nuts, honey and vanilla and their famous Marco Polo. March 6, 2015 at 10:04am
sandra: I also have Wedding Imperial.
I will give those a try! The de Lune sounds right up my alley. I have always wanted to try Marco Polo-How do you find it?
I have Eros black tea with florals-I am sure there is rose petals.
THÉ À L’OPÉRA- A green tea.
SAPHIR HIMALAYA-a very nice oolong
THÉ EN PROVENCE-another black tea with rose and lavender.
Christmas Pudding-black tea with cinnamon, nutmeg,orange and cherry, almond, apple morsels and vanilla.
Thats it. I have other teas but my husband is getting furious of all the cabinet space that I am taking with my tea obsession. But what the hay-some people have shoe and purse obsessions! HA! March 6, 2015 at 10:53am
Austenfan: I just looked them up. I’m very tempted to try that Oolong. I love teas from Nepal, but so far have only tried black and green ones. This one is going on my list!
Marco Polo is a fruit flavoured tea. It’s been a while since I tried any so my recollections of it are not as precise as you might want them to be. What I do remember is abstract fruit with a light touch. I didn’t take to it at first but before I had finished my package it had become a favourite. I prefer the Thé de Lune though; it seems more refined. March 6, 2015 at 12:15pm
Andy: I’m just about at the bottom of a tin of Marco Polo right now (one of the few MF teas I can find in the states), and your description is right on. The blend tastes to me of violets, raspberry, and vanilla. March 6, 2015 at 4:29pm
Austenfan: I’m glad you filled in the details Andy. If you like Marco Polo you’ll love Thé de Lune.
I don’t drink flavoured teas as much as I used to but I love to bring a thermos of tea to work. My flavoured teas work really well for that purpose. March 7, 2015 at 3:54pm
Victoria: Naughty Marcel! March 7, 2015 at 8:23am
Therése: Gorgeous embroidery!
I felt a little fragile this morning so I decided to treat myself to a large chai latte on my way to work. The scent of the warm drink mingled with the perfume I’m wearing today: Serge Lutens Jeaux de Peau. The perfumes milky and toasty notes was a perfect companion to the chai latte and gave me comfort on an otherwise iffy morning. March 6, 2015 at 7:58am
spe: Same with me, Therese, only replace the chai with an Americano and Jeaux de peau with Bas de Soie. That fragrance doesn’t get much attention, but it absolutely sings on me! Hyacinth and iris – it’s a beautiful creation. Smells include shoe leather and the black truffle oil. Tastes so good but a coworker complained about the smell at lunch (I added some to cauliflower soup).
What’s going on with churches closing in Belgium? No freedom of religion? Can you please fill me in on the background? March 6, 2015 at 8:45am
Victoria: Plenty of freedom, but the Catholic Church attendance is falling, so the parishes can’t sustain themselves. In some cases, the church is closed as a Catholic Church for the lack of parishioners and turned over to the Orthodox branch. But this is something happening in Germany and Austria too. March 6, 2015 at 9:27am
Therése: It’s happening in Sweden too, with our Lutheran protestant churches. March 6, 2015 at 9:47am
Carol: This makes me sad. I love my little church, Holy Rosary, which is only a few blocks from me here in Houston. During Lent, attendance is great, Sundays are packed. March 6, 2015 at 11:26am
spe: The U.S. is experiencing a revival. Interesting to read about other parts of the world! March 6, 2015 at 11:58am
Victoria: Frankly, I only read about this church closure phenomenon, I haven’t witnessed it myself. In Brussels, there are a few churches around my area, and they are all quite full. Maybe, it’s more the case in smaller towns or villages. The villages in Belgium have certainly been affected by the urban exodus and many are dying. Not only in Belgium, of course. March 7, 2015 at 8:43am
Anne-Catherine: You are right. Especially the churches of the small villages Will have to close or to find an additional or new function ( like concertroom. Exhibitionhall, …). In ghent though iT is decided that only 5 churches out of the 40 can remain for the mass, marriages and so on. like many otters have emphasized, this evolution is going on in Europe, Belgium is not alone. We try to keep them in their authenticity, as a heritage consultant this is one of the big challenges in my job. March 7, 2015 at 12:45pm
Therése: I really have to try the Bas de Soie. It sounds intriguing! March 6, 2015 at 9:48am
spe: Thank you for the information about the church. Very interesting phenomenon. Therese – if you like powdery scents, BdS is worth trying. This is going to sound strange, but there is something compellingly sensual about it for me – almost like pheromone by ? Miglin ? It’s unlike anything I’ve previously worn. Think Hiris plus Pheromone. March 6, 2015 at 10:02am
Cornelia Blimber: Same in the Netherlands. Some churches are shops now (for ex. the Dominicanerkerk in Maastricht, bookshop) or concerthalls. The surviving catholic churches are closed when there is no Mass. You cannot go in for prayer anymore. Only some important churches are open (for ex. in Breda). (Or the Dom in Utrecht, now protestant). March 6, 2015 at 10:02am
Victoria: I’m feeling like a cup of chai right now. I recently had a really good Qatari tea, which had lots of cardamom and smelled good enough to wear. March 7, 2015 at 8:24am
Bonnie: Last night I sprayed some Armani Si and livened it with some Rihanna Rebel. This morning I am floating on a lingering waft of tart blackberries and smooth mocha. I added a touch of Body Shop Red Amber for smokiness before sipping my coffee. And then I went outside into -17C weather and the slate black scent of an Arctic chill filled my lungs, as it has all February! March 6, 2015 at 9:12am
Victoria: Stay warm, Bonnie! Your scents sound wonderful. March 7, 2015 at 8:31am
The Scented Salon: Due to a request, I was able to peruse the linen stalls of the Russian bazaar. I selected a heavy off-white tablecloth for as a gift but nothing for myself. Maybe next time.
I wish I had some Ukrainian embroidered napkins from my grandmother. March 6, 2015 at 9:21am
Victoria: My grandmother embroidered a beautiful tablecloth, but I can’t bring myself to use it, because we spill something all the time, and I’d too paranoid about ruining the precious item. March 7, 2015 at 8:33am
AndreaR: Many years ago my beloved father spilled red wine on a beautiful tablecloth my husband’s grandmother had embroidered. My father is gone now and the ghost of the wine stain remains, but I smile every time I see it because it reminds me of the good times we all had around the table. March 8, 2015 at 6:41pm
Victoria: This is a wonderful and inspiring story, Andrea! Thank you for giving this other perspective. OK, will definitely be using the tablecloth more often. March 9, 2015 at 4:21pm
Kaat: Nice the broderi,
Sipping a coffee and a small raspberry roll, and placed myself to the heater, around my neck a silk scarf…
I started the week with
Oudh al mithali rasashi
Serge Lutens fille de Berlin
Mitsouko
En today tam do
The silk scarf wrapped around my neck… My nose is enjoying with every sip of coffee, the pleasant fragrances that comes from behind my neck, raspberry, peach,, rosses softcreamy spices, it’s a nice mix, what is captured in the scarf, with the bitterness of the strong black coffee.:-) March 6, 2015 at 9:43am
spe: Nice descriptions – I feel like I’m there with you March 6, 2015 at 10:04am
Victoria: Thank you, Kaat!
Is Oudh al mithali rasashi mostly oud, or does it have something else mixed in? March 7, 2015 at 8:33am
Kaat: No Oudh al mithali rasashi, is not all about oudh,
first when i have it on, it smells, the oudh,spices, after a while the amber, sandalwood, some floral, and raspberry very wel, the fragrance lingers for hours, and is not really full of spice or raspberry, sweet with a bite. March 7, 2015 at 8:59am
Victoria: Thank you, Kaat! Your description is beautiful and it gives me a better idea of this perfume. March 7, 2015 at 9:00am
limegreen: Such beautiful embroidery, Victoria. The “lipstick red” is so vivid! It’s inspired me to wear Lipstick Rose today. 🙂 I’ve been wearing heavy incense perfumes and need a shift, something quirky, especially since the sun’s out today.
I’m drinking a recently discovered rose scented black tea and it’s a gentle rose wafting between the black tea aroma. I bought it because it was “marketed” as a traditional Chinese drink (huh?). I don’t associate rose with Chinese tastes, so maybe it’s not a “rose” or it’s some influence from India perhaps. March 6, 2015 at 9:43am
Andy: Interesting on the tea–at one point I was drinking a Rose Congou tea (very pretty with pink rose petals in it), and it was just scented gently with rose. I liked it a lot, but like you, I was surprised by its being sold as a sort of traditional Chinese beauty elixir, if I’m remembering correctly. March 6, 2015 at 4:36pm
limegreen: I look at my box and it says rose congou in smaller print (Rose Black Tea in large print). Andy, do you know if congou is used often in tea circles?
It’s a new English term for me and apparently it is one of those ‘Chinese dialect turned English” words. First appeared in the 18th c. (maybe) which makes sense with the Jesuits and other foreigners in China at that time. Especially the tea-drinking British in China!
My box does not say anything about beauty elixir (what a bonus!) but has more of the Western holistic language about calmness for the heart. March 6, 2015 at 11:37pm
Andy: I associate both Congou and Keemun teas together in my mind (not sure what the difference is–both types taste very similar to me). And I associate these two types with, as you say, British tea culture rather than as something customarily drunk by the Chinese. They both have that distinctive, almost winey taste that works really well with rose, though. I know roses are cultivated somewhere in China for their oil (not sure what it’s used for, you certainly don’t hear about Chinese rose oil in perfumery), so I wonder if Congou tea might be cultivated in a nearby region to these roses. Perhaps that might explain why a Congou tea with rose would be produced in the first place? March 7, 2015 at 11:34am
Victoria: I have seen this type of rose tea marketed as Chinese traditional blend, but I was also skeptical. Jasmine or osmanthus, yes, I can believe it, but rose? March 7, 2015 at 8:34am
limegreen: Now I’m curious about the whole rose thing. It’s not a flower that shows up in the classical texts. There are lots of flora (real and imagined) in poetic imagery and rose is not among them.
I was suspicious about the rose tea being a traditional tonic but bought it anyway just to experience rose scented tea!
One good thing came out of internet searches for “rose congou” — I stumbled upon Teasenz a website that sells tea direct from China and like you, Victoria, I’m always on the lookout for quality osmanthus tea, which they sell. Does anyone (Andy?) have experience with this website? March 7, 2015 at 9:44am
Andy: I have no experience with Teasenz, but it looks good! Right now I’ve been enjoying the Gui Hua tea from Upton Tea, but I have a sneaking feeling I could definitely find a better osmanthus tea. March 7, 2015 at 11:55am
limegreen: Thanks for the clarification, Andy! And the Upton website offerings look great. Love that they include detailed descriptions of each tea.
In all this tea talk I remembered that one of my friends is headed to Taiwan soon and I’ve asked to buy me gui-hua tea, if it’s convenient. 🙂 March 7, 2015 at 5:46pm
Austenfan: I think the rose tea is created for the Western consumers.
It tastes good though. But adding rosewater to tea is another great way of blending the 2 tastes. March 7, 2015 at 3:51pm
Victoria: That’s what I do, following Andy’s suggestion. I also add a splash to coffee, which adds another interesting facet. March 8, 2015 at 11:28am
Anne-Catherine: This morning I met David Depuydt at Place Vendome. He is so passionate and nice. The atmosphere in THE shop is also unique, like walking in a perfumeparadise. I went to discover Misia and bought it. I also tried tuberose couture by parfum generale and when he saw I was dissapointed about THE tuberose couture , he showed me fracas of course. I haven’t tried iT yet since it was released and remembered THE old version as very sweet, loud and a bit too femme fatale For me. But this new version is So wonderful, So gentle and pronounced at the same time , I also fell in love with Fracas. But first I have to finish my carnal flower and flor y canto. Although I think carnal flower Will be in my wardrobe forever.
Victoria,
I talked about our plans for a trip to Wevelgem. He told me he has room for about ten people at THE back of his shop and he can give us an explanation of about three hours. He prefers us to go during THE week and in the afternoon, on a saturday it’s too busy.
Dear Victoria, I would love to help you with organizing this. Please let me know how I can help. March 6, 2015 at 10:08am
Hamamelis: Wonderful you asked Anne-Catherine, and wouldn’t it be lovely to meet some of the BdJ commentors live, and ofcourse Victoria!
I really hope this will happen. March 6, 2015 at 11:26am
Victoria: It sounds like it would be a wonderful outing, and I encourage you to make plans. Maybe, those who are interested can comment here, and if they allow me to use their emails, I can send a group note, so that people can plan. My own plans are a bit unpredictable, as I will be spending a few months in Ukraine, and I’m not sure when exactly I will return. March 7, 2015 at 8:37am
Anne-Catherine: dear Victoria, I think we all agree that your presence for this trip is crucial. Hopefully we can arrange it before you leave!!!
Can everybody answer here who would like to join? March 7, 2015 at 12:50pm
Hamamelis: I would love to join, and hope dearly Victoria could be present.
Obviously it has to fit my first obligations, but I would love to meet other perfumistas. March 7, 2015 at 1:17pm
Rowanhill: I would love to join this trip and meet you all. March 11, 2015 at 6:22am
Victoria: Perhaps, once I’m back to Belgium, we can explore something. The thing is that I can’t get to Wevelgem on weekdays, and since we mostly want to meet and chat, Place Vendome doesn’t seem like the right place. March 12, 2015 at 1:01pm
Anne-Catherine: Suggestion: we can do both
Meet and Greet on a saturday, but then in Antwerp where we can enjoy not only perfumes, but also the city when Victoria has returned to Belgium. Necessities also had napkins and tablecloths in their former shop, probably they still have, a perfect combination for Victoria!
Plave vendome on a weekday with everybody who wants to join and is able to do this in a weekday.
What do you think? March 12, 2015 at 2:01pm
Victoria: That’s a really good idea! Plus, Antwerp is well-connected by the trains, so getting there will be easier for many. Whoever is potentially interested, just comment away (and give you a permission to contact you by email). March 12, 2015 at 2:04pm
Hamamelis: Lovely to meet, greet and smell in Antwerp! V. you have my email. March 12, 2015 at 2:57pm
Hamamelis: Sounds like a terrific plan. Thank you for your suggestion and initiative Anne-Catherine! March 12, 2015 at 2:58pm
Anne-Catherine: My pleasure! It would be great if we can meet Each other. looking forward to it. I will mail my email to Victoria. March 13, 2015 at 2:29pm
irem: When I was walking the corridors of the university building a couple minutes ago, for one short moment I smelled church incense. That unmistakable frankincense smell, some burnt some raw, mixed with the perpetual darkness and slight dampness in a church. The only thing is, smelling it in the brightly lit corridors between the offices did not make any sense. I looked around, no source for the smell. Decided that my nose plays games on me.
When I went back to my laptop and read the first comment here, it was church incense again. This time written in word.
What a playful way to start the day.
As for real scents, haven’t put on any fragrance yet. Have a decant of Bois des Iles with me. I am playing with it right now. It is the perfect fragrance for a cold day in the Midwest, it registers -10 degrees Celsius outside. March 6, 2015 at 10:39am
Victoria: Perhaps, incense was just on my mind. But yes, sounds like a great way to start your day. March 7, 2015 at 8:38am
Lari: lovely, lovely embroidery. I too sew (though less in recent years), knit and do millinery. I am so happy when I’m in fabric shops perusing all the beautiful textiles. Is the embroidery hand done?
It’s a miserable cold winter here in New York so I ordered some decants to add some cheer and warmth. Yesterday Annick Goutal Songe. Today fendi Asja. Keep warm all March 6, 2015 at 11:38am
Hamamelis: Hi Lari, I commiserate with the winter you have to endure in the US. It is too much and too long, it must wear you out. I am glad perfume makes it a little easier to bear and hope spring will arrive soon. March 7, 2015 at 5:20am
Victoria: Yes, it’s handmade. Machine embroidery like this would have required some expensive and sophisticated equipment, because there are simply too many different stitches involved. I visited an embroidery factory in Ukraine and learned a bit of how it’s done. Even basic machine embroidery is not at all straightforward! March 7, 2015 at 8:45am
Ariadne: V-I envy your fingers sewing your new linen. Nothing beats linen, it lasts forever and Belgian linen is the BEST!
I am still cherishing my scent memory from yesterday’s sundown (actually zero sun after the day’s blizzard but evening softly approaching).
I ventured outside to shovel and could smell someone in my neighborhood had a fire going and it was apple wood. If you have not smelled this wood in a hearth it is a bit like Lapsang Souchong tea with something sweet added to it. Sheer magic to smell when surrounded by all white. March 6, 2015 at 1:03pm
Victoria: My latest acquisition was French linen, and it’s also excellent. But it’s quite tightly woven, so making the drawn thread embroidery on it is a little complicated. Anyway, I do a little bit at a time, and I already started a new project. March 7, 2015 at 8:47am
Kate: Fresh green-tinged air this morning as I cycled through the woods to work. It is still cold enough to make my eyes water. Then the metallic smell of motor exhausts.
I am wearing Hiris which smells airy – counter-intuitively, perhaps, for a scent based on a root. Despite being delicate, it lasts all day. In the office, other women are wearing (at a guess) Stella and Aromatics Elixir.
I came by a bottle of Guerlain 180 Ans de Creations recently and have been enjoying it: a great blast of cedar in the opening and then a drydown which is classic Guerlain, and smells exactly like Shalimar parfum except gentler and well-rounded. Then there is an intriguing ‘clean’ note which I am guessing comes from a musk… March 6, 2015 at 3:57pm
Victoria: Lovely descriptions! You make me want to wear Hiris. 🙂 March 7, 2015 at 8:48am
angeldiva: I like the smell of my new plumber!
I don’t think he wears cologne. And, even when he’s been working all day – he doesn’t smell like typical man sweat.
He just smells of warmth, sunshine and a bit of amber…
It makes me feel calm.
P. March 6, 2015 at 4:51pm
Victoria: 🙂 March 7, 2015 at 8:49am
Kat: I got hit by the flu pretty bad – this week I finally returned to the world of the living. And today someone gave me a Terre d’Oc tin box of Vanilla Roiboos tea. I love Roiboos and I love Vanilla yet I’ve never tried them together. It smells heavenly and I can’t wait to taste it. I’ll savor it for a special moment. March 6, 2015 at 5:06pm
Victoria: Enjoy it, Kat! I love a little bit of vanilla with Roiboos, which seems to bring out its caramelized accents. March 7, 2015 at 8:50am
Michaela: Rooibos and vanilla make a wonderful combo! Enjoy and stay well! March 9, 2015 at 6:47am
Nancy A.: Besides my morning richly aromatic Sumatra coffee, I’ve been trying out new teas one of which is called English Garden. It scents my environment of lavender, rose petals soft tones of mint and the blend of green and black teas. Heaven! A sample of Dior’s Cuir Cannage at my neck and it’s warmth calms me as the tea.
If that’s your freehand embroidery it’s color and composition are magical! March 6, 2015 at 5:28pm
Victoria: I made a drawing on the cloth first, and then I embroidered over it. I didn’t trust myself to make the outlines neat enough without a sketch underneath. It was fun, and the best part is that I still have the design stencil I made, in case I want to make another napkin like this. March 7, 2015 at 8:51am
Hannah: I put my scarf in a drawer with sandalwood incense and I took it out and gave the incense back to my mom today. Now my scarf smells like roses and condensed milk, but the condensed milk part is a bit coconut-ty. It’s been in there for about 5 days and I was a bit worried because for a while it just kind of smelled like this shop I go to some times. It’s like an ethnic goods shop? It’s nicer than a New Age shop, but I imagine New Age shops smell the same. But now that the smell is more defined, it smells much better than that! But when it fades, I’ll probably just smell like a New Age shop again. I’ll enjoy the smell for now. March 6, 2015 at 5:43pm
Victoria: I did the same thing, and I loved the effect. I don’t think that the sandalwood smells like a New Age shop. March 7, 2015 at 8:52am
Hannah: For lunch, I made tortellini in a zucchini and spinach puree with pesto, and sundried tomatoes. The cooking zucchini, garlic, basil, and sundried tomatoes smelled great. Although the basil smell wasn’t that strong because I used a bit of pesto from a jar and not fresh basil. I didn’t have any and I needed to get rid of the rest of the jar, zucchini and spinach so I threw them together.
Right now I’m drinking Korean citron tea, which is of course sweet and citrus-y smelling.
Today I am wearing Bulgari Black. I’m going to the airport in about 3 hours so I needed something soft. I’m bringing the following with me to Berlin: 3ml Tubereuse Criminelle, 3ml Eau des Merveilles, 3ml Fille en Aiguilles, 2ml Interlude Woman, 1ml Sahara Noir (I wish I had more but I don’t), 1ml Fleurs d’Oranger, and about a bit more than .5ml Bois d’Encens. I decided on a perfume ban but now with the exchange rate it’d be a good time to get something so I might get a new perfume while I’m there. March 8, 2015 at 12:29pm
Victoria: I enjoy reading about things you make, because you’re such a creative cook, and it’s very inspiring. And of course, delicious sounding! March 9, 2015 at 4:20pm
Hannah: That is very flattering!
Today a woman sat beside me and I think she was wearing Classique but I think it may have been too spicy. If it was Classique, it smells great on her! It is just bubblegum on me. Yesterday a man smelled exactly like Tea for Two. Today I wore Bois d’encens because it is my walking perfume. My walk was terrible!!!! I do not like anything about Prenzlauerberg but it is where my host lives. Then I showered and my actual sotd is Interlude Woman.
I tried a few perfumes yesterday. Untitled by MMM, the blue CDGs (I only like the incense one, I think) and Sutra Ylang for the first time, and Alien for the first time in a while. March 11, 2015 at 11:34am
Victoria: Sometimes you smell a perfume on a person, and when they tell what it is, it’s a huge surprise. I know some people don’t believe that skin affects how perfume smells, but it really does. So, at times it’s hard to guess what perfume it is. I smell perfume a lot in Brussels, but I can recognize only a handful. March 12, 2015 at 1:02pm
Hannah: That is true. And last time I thought I smelled Tea for Two, the man had a bag of gingerbread. I think I was smelling the gingerbread. The man from a few days ago had a bag from an Asian grocery store so there could have been some ginger products that I was smelling.
Today I bought untitled by MMM. Yet again I chose to buy a perfume that I didn’t spend months obsessing over! I just saw it on the shelf and thought “hmmm I should have smelled this by now” and walked away with it an hour later. March 14, 2015 at 8:50am
Victoria: Sometimes you just feel that something is perfect for you. Enjoy it! 🙂 March 16, 2015 at 9:59am
Annabel Farrell: Ulster (Northern Ireland) linen is definitely the best!! On another ‘note’, earlier this week in Udaipur, Rajasthan, by good luck I stumbled across the loveliest little perfume shop, Rajasthan Perfumers, with a charming owner, and bought some sandalwood perfume (would love to have bought half the shop). If anyone happens to find themselves in that lovely lakeside city, the shop is in a street called Moti Chotta (not far from the clocktower). March 6, 2015 at 9:54pm
Victoria: I haven’t tried any Ulster linen, but Irish manufacturers certainly have a stellar reputation.
Your Udaipur discovery sounds terrific! That’s one large city in Rajasthan I haven’t visited, so I’m jotting down your recommendation for another future trip. March 7, 2015 at 8:54am
Hamamelis: From my scent diary made in Oman…on the plane during a stopover in Qatar entered an Indian family, ladies in sari’s and all smelling wonderfully of sandalwood. In the hotel we were greeted with rosewater scented towels, and Omani coffee fragrant with cardamon. The stunning lobby of our hotel was incensed with the famous Omani incense throughout the day. Truely magical to smell this sweet, smoky, fresh and warm fumes all the time. One of the waiters in a restaurant wearing Amouage Memoir…In the old Muscat souq, probably the oldest on the Arabic peninsula, there were heaps of Omani incense in different grades, there was some Oud (I can’t say if it was real or fake, but it smelled very special, musty, medicinal, rich and earthy). There was myrhh and incense scented with rose or jasmin. A small shop selling attars, we smelled jasmin, rose (Gul), sandalwood, oud and incense oil. I bought some perfume oil from Syed Junaid Alam, a house from Bahrein. It is called Maodhoon, and based on sandalwood, rose, oud and amber. Very classical Arab perfumery, in a heavy glass container, on recommendation of the local SA (a lovely lady, shy and veiled…).
During our travels we bought the cutest keyring in a petrol station, a beautiful container filled with a strong but lovely rose oil! Scent is such an important part of Omani daily life, the men are dressed in what is called a dishdasher, a white (immaculate ironed!) long tunic/robe with a small tassel near the collar. I thought it was just decoration, but it is not, the tassel is scented with attar or perfume!
Ofcourse we smelled the penetrating odor of the Omani camels…and we made a small trip on them. We smelled the desert in our camp in Wahiba Sands…how to describe a scent that is so empty and so full? Omani rice is scented with cardamon, cinnamon sticks, and saffron, its dishes being very influenced by India. We had some ‘Sparkling Dates’ which is…Omani date champagne, no alcohol ofcourse, but very refreshing, not too sweet, like very good apple cider.
We visited the Amouage factory, how could we not. I had to giggle as the Amouage representative gave both my husband and myself all (!) their perfumes, in man and woman version, on smelling strips in just under 5 minutes…By now my husband knows this is no way to smell perfume…It was lovely to see the factory (from behind glass) and the enormous vats with Fate Woman, maturing I suspect like wine. The bottles are indeed hand filled. In the end we bought both the set with mini’s, I couldn’t chose. I did smell the extrait version of Epic, breathtakingly beautiful, but at this point in time to much of an investment for one perfume. The rest of the holiday my husband would put on some Amouage and ask me to guess which one it was! In the Omani climate, dry but not too dry, warm but no too warm, perfume just smells so different than in the cold and wet climate of North West Europe. It is so true that climate influences how we wear perfume and how our skin responds to it. I could wear Fate to breakfast as if it was Cristalle so to speak.
I recommend Oman to any perfumista, it is stunningly beautiful, clean, safe and fragrant. March 7, 2015 at 5:10am
Cornelia Blimber: Hamamelis, thank you! You were in Paradise, and I with you, reading this. I wear Memoir Man today (like it better than Woman) and wish I could go to Oman. March 7, 2015 at 7:04am
Hamamelis: Yes, I was very fortunate, I hope reading shares my experience a little. Should you ever be able to go, don’t go later than April or it gets too hot, in summer it is 50 degrees celsius…
Fortunately we have our first Spring day haven’t we! The crocusses are out, as is my first Camellia flower (no scent alas, but a lovely sight). Wishing you a wonderful weekend and you smell gorgeous! March 7, 2015 at 7:18am
Karen: What a wonderful scent diary! Thank you so much for sharing this, Hamamelis! It is interesting to read about the wide use of fragrance, including incensed hotel lobbies. I can only imagine the uproar here in the US if hotels did that – Oh my allergies! No fragrances anywhere, ever! Not to sound unkind to those who are negatively impacted by certain scent compounds, but it seems like such a loss for us that true fragrance is absent is much of our lives. And worse yet, replaced by overpowering bad chemical concoctions supposedly representing lavender or “fresh air”.
Well your experience makes me want to go and smell the rich scents you and your husband did! Thank you again for inspiring all of us. March 7, 2015 at 8:21am
Hamamelis: If ever you can Karen, do, it is in my view also important to experience and support an Islamic country (Ibadi) that is relatively open and respectful to non muslims. I will always have difficulties with veiled women, and sometimes felt somewhat constricted, but I met a lot of kindness and Arabic hospitality is very special. B.t.w. we could leave our car with suitcases in sight anywhere, or our wallets on the sunbeds, things simply don’t get stolen in Oman. The current Sultan is, as far as I can assess, a blessing for his country, free healthcare, free education (70% women!), excellent roads (better than in Europe), a care for nature and relatively fair to immigrant workers. March 7, 2015 at 9:19am
Victoria: I was just visiting Malaysia, an Islamic country that’s remarkable for the way it embraces everyone, Muslim or not. Within a couple of blocks, you can see a mosque, a Chinese temple, a Hindu shrine or a church. Because it was the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations, everything was scented with incense. Many houses had huge–and I mean huge, 3 feet pillars–of incense burning.
And when people mix, they also create astoundingly delicious cuisine. Malaysian food taken together must be one of the world’s best. March 7, 2015 at 11:09am
Hamamelis: Oh Victoria, this brings back memories. We visited Malaysia 15 years ago, and we were struck by the relaxed way the different religions live side by side (at least on the west side of the country). So funny how restaurant owners ran out several times during an evening to burn some joss for good business! And the food indeed so delicous, and so varied. Always very nice to read a little about your travels. March 7, 2015 at 11:22am
Hamamelis: PS I wear Songes to celebrate the first Spring day, it is so lovely and causes my mood to be gentle and soft. March 7, 2015 at 10:08am
Victoria: Thank you very much for this detailed, evocative description. It’s been a few years since I visited Oman, but your words take me right back. I also enjoyed my trip very much, and now, thanks to a generous someone, I will be enjoying a cup of Omani coffee with cardamom. 🙂
You’re completely spot on in your observation on how perfumes behave in dry dessert heat. Contrary to the expectations, it’s not the heat that makes some scents more difficult to carry off, but humidity. In Oman, I also wore the darkest, richest ouds in 35-40C weather, while here when it’s 25-30C, I sometimes have difficulties with colognes. March 7, 2015 at 8:59am
Annette: Hamamelis, thank you so much for sharing with us your fragrant memories from Oman. It’s really wonderful that there are countries or cultures in which perfume has so much significance. I wish we could incorporate some of those customs in our bland North. Would you write something more about the smells of food? Always hungry, me! 🙂 March 7, 2015 at 9:48am
Hamamelis: Let me try…: there was the earthy, nutty scent of hummus for breakfast, as well as the sweet, dry and garlicky ful medames on warm Arab flatbread, there were ripe mangoes and dragon fruit which smells like guave with a slight radish trace in it, there was fragrant Omani honey and thick creamy yoghurt…There were succulent lamb curries, sometimes very spicy Vindaloo style, and sometimes sweet and coconutty, with cardamon and raisins, there was sweet lobster from the barbecue (Omani’s like to cook things on coal) and very jummy Arab style fish (coated with bread crumbs and baked in Baharat=mixed Arab spices), there was buttery and nutty halva, and endless date snacks (filled with orange rind, dry ones, plumb ones, with coconut slivers, with walnuts and green tea), there were sweet fresh fruit juices of any kind (watermelon, mango, pineapple) widely available.
I did not taste incense flavoured water, but apparently Omanis drink this often, and use incense as a cure all panacea! Hope this is mouthwatering enough! March 7, 2015 at 10:27am
Victoria: Did you try the flatbread with sesame seeds on top? It’s almost like naan, but the generous dose of sesame adds a nutty touch. Also, did you try roasted lamb with spices and rosewater? The whole lamb is roasted under a crust of spices and sprinkled with rosewater before serving. For fancy occasions, oud is added to spices to give an extra dose of perfume.
The delicious juices is something I also remember from my trip. I returned home and bought a small juicer to replicate some of the drinks I tried, such as watermelon + mint or mango and pineapple. March 7, 2015 at 11:14am
Hamamelis: We did have delicious roasted lamb, but I don’t know if it was sprinkled with rosewater…and we did have all kinds of flatbread, including the sesame one, lovely with humus! March 7, 2015 at 11:24am
Annette: Hamamelis, what have you done?! I am salivating uncontrollably. Someone call a plumber!
Your description is so suggestive, thank you. I am off to the kitchen to prepare some hummus, which of course will be a poor substitute for the real thing you ate in Oman. But… just a few days ago I ate great falafel in a local Israeli bistro. I was literally stuffing my face, muttering “very good” every second bite to the happy owner:)) Now off to the kitchen! March 7, 2015 at 12:42pm
angeldiva: Hi Annette,
You can call my plumber! And, he smells like sunshine!
LOL
P. March 7, 2015 at 7:59pm
Annette: 🙂 March 9, 2015 at 8:36am
Illdone: Mouthwatering enough? I’m drooling my dear!
Lovely writting, thank you, xx March 7, 2015 at 12:54pm
Hamamelis: PS Annette…I have to shed a few kilos as you no doubt understand! March 7, 2015 at 10:55am
Annette: Oh, Hamamelis, slimming is soooo overrated, believe me:) March 7, 2015 at 12:43pm
Hamamelis: March 7, 2015 at 1:18pm
Hamamelis: Sorry I meant :-), and true that! March 7, 2015 at 1:20pm
limegreen: Hamamelis — Thank you for such a beautiful scent diary! I love your description of visiting Amouage and seeing the vats of perfume, what a sight! Did you get nose fatigue smelling all the Amouage perfumes? I have the Amouage sampler (great holiday recommendation, Victoria!) and am only halfway through the set, as I started to get nose fatigue and each was becoming less distinct.
(Tauer’s Desert Air Moracain captures desert air — Death Valley being my own reference. I love your description of the desert atmosphere.) March 7, 2015 at 9:59am
Hamamelis: Dear Limegreen, a serious case of nose fatigue after having smelled the sum total of all perfumes Amouage ever produced in 5 minutes ;-)! So I wore a different Amouage after having bought the small bottles set, but as Victoria writes, Amouage smells very different in Oman. An excellent reason to revisit it one time, I would hope to do so when the roses are in bloom in the Jebal Akdar mountain range.
And thank you for the Tauer suggestion, I will try and locate a sample. That is a true art if you can capture the perfume of the desert… March 7, 2015 at 10:38am
limegreen: proper name: L’Air du Desert Marocain
(please excuse my lazy American butchering of the name!)
I would not want a FB of this fragrance but am delighted with my sample. I have not worn it on skin but enjoy it on a tester strip on my desk, and it lasts days! It even “passes” the test with my geologist husband who knows deserts and desert smells of sand and wind quite well. March 7, 2015 at 6:09pm
Hamamelis: Thank you for clarifying! Oman is geologist heaven I understood, earth’s ancient layers being right on the surface someone explained. There were quite a few geologists on the plane, you couldn’t miss them! March 8, 2015 at 4:05am
Andy: Thanks for sharing this, I loved reading about all the scents you experienced during your trip! If you can find frankincense that is food-safe, do try placing a few pieces in some water, and leaving it to sit and infuse overnight. I sometimes do it in my water bottle, and that way I get to enjoy the incense-infused water while I’m out and about during the day. Victoria shared this tip with me, and with your mention of this traditional Omani beverage, I thought I’d pass it on so you could try it. March 7, 2015 at 12:15pm
Hamamelis: Thank you Andy for your kind words and incense water suggestion. We brought back quite some Omani incense, very fresh and resinous, and I will use it to try this holy water ;-). March 7, 2015 at 2:16pm
Michaela: How beautiful, Hamamelis! You’ve been living a dream, thank you for sharing! March 9, 2015 at 6:50am
Austenfan: I spent a lovely afternoon in Antwerp with a very good friend of mine. We just wandered around the city, which was lovely as the weather today was so gorgeous. First real spring weather.
I took her to a perfume shop that also sells quite a few niche brands and tried to introduce her to some different scents. I got covered in all sorts of fragrances myself. I’m now surrounded by loads of different fragrances, which is fine; spring seems to be arriving! March 7, 2015 at 3:48pm
Hamamelis: Did you discover a new perfume you really enjoyed? Your day sounds lovely, aren’t we lucky spring has arrived! March 8, 2015 at 5:27am
Austenfan: I tried Fleur de Chine from the Tom Ford collection. I need to try that one on skin, but couldn’t yesterday as I had already put perfume on before leaving.
The ones that I really enjoyed were 2 of the Armani Privé collection. The incense one and the amber. Exceedingly pretty. I wouldn’t mind a small bottle of those.
It was a lovely day. Everyone seemed to be celebrating those rays of sunshine. Besides I love Antwerp, even in the rain. March 8, 2015 at 6:20am
Hamamelis: I just ordered a sample of the Armani Prive incense one (I think you mean Bois d’Encens?)…if I love it enough to buy an FB I am happy to share!
I vivited Antwerp too long ago…I will see if I can plan an outing in the not too distant future.
Now back in the spring sun! March 8, 2015 at 8:36am
Austenfan: I’ll bear that in mind! Thanks for offering. March 8, 2015 at 6:14pm
Hamamelis: I will let you know if I indeed buy a FB somewhere on the BdJ! Nice to read a bit more about perfume shopping/sniffing in Antwerp. March 9, 2015 at 4:37am
Victoria: Antwerp is a great place to visit for so many different reasons, and while it’s not a huge city, it has much to offer. Which stores did you go to? March 8, 2015 at 11:27am
Austenfan: I just went to Parfuma. They have a selection of niche brands, mostly the very high end ones. Amouage, Xerjoff, TF private blend, Armani Privé, and some more affordable ones like Olfactive Studio. The great thing is that you can browse, and sniff and spray.
Antwerp just feels so familiar that I’ve become almost oblivious to it’s beauty. The weather was so nice that apart from Parfuma and a few other shops we spent all our time outdoors. March 8, 2015 at 12:24pm
Anne-Catherine: The good think about parfuma is that they don’t only have niche perfumes but also a huge amount of mainstream ones and a few vintage perfumes, like silences, my very first perfume. You should also visit la maison du parfum ( not far away from the station) run by two very nice ladies, one of them has 55 years of experience!
There is also neccesities ( steenhouwersvest): nichebrands like agonist, etro,… March 8, 2015 at 2:47pm
Austenfan: Thanks for the tip on La Maison du Parfum. Never been there. I don’t know the area around Centraal Station very well, so this will make up for it.
I think Parfuma is a great shop and yes they have a whole range of mainstream brands as well.
I’m familiar with Necessities although I haven’t visited them since their move to Steenhouwersvest. They used to be on the Schuttershofstraat if I remember correctly. I got some Artisans and Parfum d’Empire from them during the Solden a few years ago. March 8, 2015 at 3:44pm
Anne-Catherine: La maison du parfum is located in the appelmansstraat, it’s a Tiny shop but worthwhile going to! THE area around the station is not that special, the Meir is the Major shopping street full of shops and brands you can find everywhere, So nothing special going on There. At THE corner of the street of la maison du parfum you have del rey chocolates, apparently very nice.
they have brands like lubin, al haramain, creed, Xerjoff and join the club and they Will soon have sospiro. It’s a Nice addition to parfuma.
Neither have I already been to THE new necessities. I used to go to THE shop in the schuttershofstraat and discovered recently at THE website of Andy tauer looking for retailers that they have a new address. At their Facebook page you can see which brands they have, also a Nice addition to both other shops!
Worth a return to Antwerp! March 9, 2015 at 4:15pm
Victoria: I’ve been there only a couple of times, so I still have a lot to explore. Took down all of the shop mentions from this thread! March 9, 2015 at 4:19pm
marlene: Scents,good and not so good-all make me feel alive. Today,coffee,tea,toast,daffodils sitting on my table-all adding to my day of smells. I do a lot of painting and love the smell of oil paints and turpentine. I,too,have an embroidered tablecloth I made years ago and of do not use for fear of stains. Maybe I should further enjoy life by using it and appreciating the visual treat. Love reading everyone’s comments. March 8, 2015 at 12:08am
Victoria: I decided to put it today on our round coffee table and enjoy at least the sight of it. Otherwise, it sits inside the cupboard and what’s the use of it there? March 8, 2015 at 11:29am
Anne-Catherine: Hi Marlene, great to hear you are a painter and indeed I remember all the wonderful scents of elemi, shellac, turpentine and also different kinds of wood from my courses of conservation of paintings and sculpture about ten years ago. We also used those products. I even liked THE smell of the animal skin glue after using iT for a while.
I think you and I should try Bowmakers by D.S. And Durga. It’s now available at luckyscent and I missed the Discovery sample pack. I love their concept and would like to try Some of their scents.
Does anybody know the perfumes by D.S. And Durga? March 8, 2015 at 2:55pm
Aurora: What wonderful embroidery Victoria, you’ve really got involved in it since your Ukrainian visit, these red flowers are so perfect, these napkins will make quite an heirloom.
Yesterday’s scent diary: the aroma of apple sauce bubbling away on the stove, not decided whether I will add some spices to it or just vanilla sugar (do you use some as well Victoria, I buy it in France, I never foun it in the UK, while I still find the all natural one: real vanilla + sugar, it is so convenient).
The scent of cucumber as prepare it for a salad, for some reason it always remind me of Jardin de Bagatelle, the perfume, go figure.
Busy and happy sampling from the traveling box which I have received faithfully from Katherine off to make more discoveries from it. March 9, 2015 at 6:54am
Victoria: Thank you so much! Yes, learning from an embroidery master in Ukraine was so inspiring. I loved spending time with her, and she was so kind and generous, she absolutely refused payment. So, now whenever I have some free time, I embroider and think of her.
I love vanilla sugar, and I usually make it myself. After using vanilla pods in pastry cream or compotes, I rinse them, dry them and stick them in a jar of sugar. It’s remarkable how much aroma they still hold. Of course, you can use a fresh vanilla pod. March 9, 2015 at 4:25pm
Aurora: That’s a brilliant idea to reuse the vanilla pods in sugar as there’s still so much aroma. I’ll do the same in future. The compote de pommes turned quite nicely, it’s been a very good season for apples here in the UK, there were articles in the press about this last fall. March 10, 2015 at 8:39am
Victoria: I’m so baffled by the instructions to discard the vanilla pod after one use. In fact, I also use pods another time after taking them out of sugar, and if they have any scent, I rinse them, dry them off and return them to the jar. March 10, 2015 at 10:01am
Aurora: sorry correcting: never ‘found’ it in the UK while ‘in France I still find the all natural one’ March 9, 2015 at 8:10am
rainboweyes: I love the embroidery, it looks so perfect, you are a real artist! And the colour of the flowers reminds me that I have to buy red lipstick for the summer! It will be coral red though, my complexion is too pale for strong red.
My scented highlight today were the fragile hamamelis flowers I discovered in my garden. What a beautiful delicate smell!
I can’t wait for the spring to begin, winter’s been so hard this year. March 9, 2015 at 10:38am
Victoria: I appreciate your encouraging words. It’s my first finished piece in 20 years or so, so while I can see some flaws, I’m happy I managed to complete the project.
I didn’t realize that hamamelis is blooming already, but it makes sense. The scent must be so wonderful and spring-like. March 9, 2015 at 4:31pm
Hamamelis: Hamamelis is in full bloom in my garden as well! If ever you can visit the arboretum in Kalmthout in Belgium end of January, February or beginning March it will be scent heaven…They host the largest and oldest collection of Hamamelis in Europe.
Next to place Vendome another place I hope to visit one day in Belgium! March 12, 2015 at 6:51am
Victoria: This sounds like a perfect trip for me. I just realized that I have never smelled hamamelis, or at least, not knowingly. March 12, 2015 at 1:31pm
Hamamelis: They must be around in Brussels too this time of year, they are quite common. Just look for the spikey yellow flowers, on a shrub without leaves (they come later). Your nose will know! March 13, 2015 at 4:39pm
Victoria: Will do! Thanks a lot! March 16, 2015 at 9:53am
Hamamelis: Isn’t it a wonderful smell Rainboweyes? A little bit of orange, carnation, hyacinth and daffodil? Or do you smell something else? If only this smell could be captured…or is part of its magic that it is so transient and you can only smell it in early Spring…like the Japanese cherryblossoms. I commiserate with your harsh winter, we have been very lucky indeed with a mild winter and an early lovely Spring. Hope it will begin soonest for you. March 12, 2015 at 6:48am
Mel: A bank of jasmine outside my door bursting into bloom – I can’t escape it and I don’t want to! March 10, 2015 at 4:09pm
Victoria: Heaven! 🙂 March 10, 2015 at 5:57pm
Rebecca: Soft sweet pillows of wild violets growing in my garden…. their scent greets me as I walk along the path. Almond blossom while out with a friend and my dog this morning.
I recommend Huile de Douche Nourrissante Argan et Rose by Ushuaia. It was a stocking filler at Christmas but it turns out I love this scent. And it’s really inexpensive! Following on with the roses my scent tonight was Delices des Fleurs. Mmmmm. March 11, 2015 at 7:58pm
Victoria: Is it a pharmacy brand? It sounds wonderful, and the reasonable price helps. March 12, 2015 at 1:23pm
Rebecca: I bought it in the supermarket for something like 3 euros! I live in France. I think you can buy it from Amazon, I saw a deal for a pack of three. Am tempted as I adore rose and even though the scent doesn’t last, it makes for Heavenly shower or bath time! Also it doesn’t dry out my skin. I have stockpiled shower gel so maybe I should make a dent in the reserve before buying more. March 12, 2015 at 1:37pm
Victoria: Thank you very much! I will check here or whenever I’m going to be in France next. March 12, 2015 at 1:41pm
Rebecca: I hope you enjoy it when you get some! March 12, 2015 at 1:47pm
Michaela: Gorgeous embroidery… Congratulations, you are good!
I cannot keep a scent diary for the moment. Sorry.
Some days ago I bought an ancient Anais Anais EDT in a mini of 7.5 ml. It’s out of this world, and the bottle is so cute! The perfume is really fresh, radiant and unexpected. My spring surprise. I cannot compare it to the current EDT or to L’Original, because I don’t remember them well. But this old perfume is a treasure. March 12, 2015 at 5:25am
Victoria: No worries! I don’t always keep it on regular basis. Some days are more inspiring than others. March 12, 2015 at 1:29pm
Rebecca: Today I walked and smelt the violets again, can’t get enough of that smell, I do love this time of year. I sprinkled fresh coriander on my salad at lunchtime; to me a wonderful smell. My husband says it smells of a green bug! Does anyone else have the “bug” connection with coriander? March 12, 2015 at 1:44pm
Victoria: The bug connection is not far off, since the coriander leaves and bugs share many similar compounds (aldehydes!) 🙂 Some people are more sensitive to them than others, or simply have a stronger association with something inedible. But it’s possible to overcome the aversion by introducing coriander little by little in one’s meals. March 12, 2015 at 1:50pm
Hamamelis: Last week a friend made a lovely simple dessert: frozen banana (ripe) pureed/mashed with fresh coriander leaves. Very fresh, very different but lovely.
V. does green tea have any indolic compounds? I had some this evening and smelled a distinct ‘white flower’ indolic in its scent…(I checked, there wasn’t any jasmin added, just green tea, I don’t know what kind). Just curious about these different life forms sharing similar compounds, so interesting. March 13, 2015 at 4:45pm
Victoria: This sounds really incredible. I would never have thought of combining bananas with coriander leaves, but it sure makes sense. In South India they make a type of fresh chutney with bananas and coriander, and it tastes great with rice.
I’m not sure if it does, but I will check. March 16, 2015 at 9:54am
Michaela: Me. Unfortunately. For me green bugs scent is very similar to fresh coriander leaves. Fortunately, I like the seeds, the scent is totally different.
I could try Victoria’s advice, though. A slight amount could be bearable, even interesting. March 13, 2015 at 7:32am