The Biologist 0007- AROMATIC ALCHEMY

JANUARY 27, 2025

Welcome to THE BIOLOGIST, your weekly dose of inspiration at the intersection of fragrance and culture.

This week, we're exploring coffee – that universally beloved elixir whose aromatic presence transcends cultures and rituals in every corner of the globe. Beyond just a morning necessity, coffee offers one of the world's most recognized and complex scent experiences, with over 800 aromatic compounds that rival the sophistication of any fine fragrance.

AROMATIC ALCHEMY

FUNCTION: THE SCIENCE OF SCENT AND BREW

The relationship with coffee begins before the first sip – it starts with that unmistakable aroma that draws us in. The scent of coffee triggers neurological responses that increase alertness and elevate mood, even before caffeine enters our system. This powerful olfactory experience explains why the smell alone can transform our state of mind.

Different brewing methods unlock distinct aromatic profiles from the same beans. Cold brew steeping gently extracts chocolatey, caramel notes while minimizing acidity. Pour-over methods highlight floral and fruit notes that might otherwise be overshadowed. Espresso's high temperature and press creates concentrated aromatic compounds that develop the signature crema – similar to the extraction of essential oils.

Try this: Brew the same coffee beans three different ways – perhaps as French press, pour-over, and cold brew. Notice how the aroma shifts with each method and appeals differently to your senses. At Biology HQ, we're currently brewing Nizza from La Colombe.

We also love changing our coffee rituals with the seasons (hot in the winter, cold in the summer).

TRANSPORT: FOLLOWING THE AROMATIC TRAIL

Ethiopia's Yirgacheffe region, considered the birthplace of coffee, produces beans with jasmine-like floral notes (like Joy) and bright citrus overtones that perfumers would classify as delicate top notes. The region's high elevation and unique terroir create a distinctive aromatic fingerprint impossible to replicate elsewhere.

In the misty mountains of Colombia's coffee triangle, the beans develop berry-forward aromas with hints of stone fruit and chocolate – a complex middle note in the coffee world. Meanwhile, Indonesia's islands offer earthy, spiced characteristics with woody undertones (like Flow) that serve as the equivalent of base notes in a perfume composition.

Have you ever gone on a coffee tour?

BOND: RITUALS OF CONNECTION

No matter where you are, in any culture, at any time of day, you can have a shared human experience in a cafe. Whether lingering for hours or savoring brief encounters, cafes are a place where time slows, conversations deepen, and the humble coffee bean becomes a medium for shared human bond. It's incredible to think about how many moments of inspiration, progress and connection are happening in cafes every single day.

Here are just a few of our favorite spaces around the globe: