The Smell After Rain
Updated: Oct 12
Next time it rains, take notice of how there’s a lingering scent afterwards that gives us a feeling of serenity. The scent of the rain, combined with the dewy leaves and misty air gives our nose something to revel.
The reasoning behind it is quite simple: the chemical reaction of the environment mixed with the compounds of the rain releases that soothing scent that cannot be replicated in any perfume or candle. Petrichor is what travels through your nostrils, it is the earthy, misty scent you don’t just smell but experience.
The scientific explanation is that a molecule called geosmin gets released after rainfall due to it being present in most healthy soil. Geosmin is produced by stremptomyces and is even becoming more used as a perfume ingredient. We can thank this molecule for that amazing smell that we get the pleasure of experiencing after rainfall.
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