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In France's Perfume Capital Of The World, There's A World Of Beautiful Fragrance

Perfume flower grower Pierre Chiarla picks jasmine flowers in his field in Grasse, France. Bénédicte Desrus for NPR hide caption

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Bénédicte Desrus for NPR

Wish You Were Here

In France's Perfume Capital Of The World, There's A World Of Beautiful Fragrance

Its jasmine and roses are prized by perfumers and those eager to learn the trade. But the French Riviera town of Grasse didn't always smell sweet. Centuries ago, it was known for leather tanneries.

In France's Perfume Capital Of The World, There's A World Of Beautiful Fragrance

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In Turkey, Coronavirus Spurs A Surge In Cologne Sales

A display of Turkey's popular Rebul colognes in Istanbul. Cologne is in high demand because its 80% alcohol content helps it double as a disinfectant in the Turkish tradition of splashing hands when arriving at or leaving someone's home, a restaurant or elsewhere. Gokce Saracoglu for NPR hide caption

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Gokce Saracoglu for NPR

The Coronavirus Crisis

In Turkey, Coronavirus Spurs A Surge In Cologne Sales

Sales of Turkish-made cologne are skyrocketing. Some colognes, made with 80% alcohol, are being embraced for disinfectant properties. Cologne is traditionally offered to house guests to rub on hands.

The Scents And Sensibility Of LA's Nosy New Perfume Enthusiasts

Scent Bar, in central Los Angeles, is home to over 700 niche fragrances — several of which are neatly arranged here. Courtesy of LuckyScent hide caption

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Courtesy of LuckyScent

Culture

The Scents And Sensibility Of LA's Nosy New Perfume Enthusiasts

Our sense of smell isn't simply a powerful trigger. It's a draw to scientists — and to a flourishing subculture in Los Angeles, where amateur perfumers collect fragrances like others collect stamps.

The Scents And Sensibility Of LA's Nosy New Perfume Enthusiasts

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