Today we were walking in downtown San Jose, and we found many boutiques that were handing out free samples of different types of perfumes. Kerry-Ann really liked one scent, but instead of just buying it she asked "I wonder how they make perfume." While the other girls went outside and tried to spot the next shop of interest, I went to ask the clerk where the perfume stock was from. He told me that there was a new plant in Alajela that was run by Sensient Technologies.
Sensient is a major cooperation that provides fragrances, flavors, and colors to other major industries. We decided to visit the fragrence section of the plant. It was so much fun! In the end, we all got free samples of a new perfume before it came out to the public.The science behind smells is really interesting. We visited the section of the plant where scientists worked with aroma chemicals. They study different chemicals and their effects on human senses (they have testers to help with that). Then, they alter and combine different chemicals to produce the desired effect. Apparently, the perfume we bought was made with a chemical called propenyl anisole; that's why it smelled so sweet!
~Jojo
