Benjawi8°S 115°E
The Scent Atlas95°E—130°E · 9°S—4°N
Six coordinates · six materials

Six materials. Six starting points.

Choose a material to explore its place, how it is transformed, and the impressions it brings to a fragrance.

Choose a material
The materialsChoose a point or use the material selector

Selected Patchouli Aceh. Where is the scent hiding?

Six places in the collection. Coordinates locate the starting point of each fragrance; they are not farm or harvest records.

Selected place · 01Patchouli Aceh3°15′N 97°11′E · Aceh Selatan, Sumatra
Patchouli Aceh fragrance beside one dried patchouli leaf on dark mineral stone
Patchouli Aceh · The leaf · still-life study
One thing to notice

Where is the scent hiding?

Why it mattersIn the leaf—but not quite in the fresh leaf. Patchouli is cut, dried and then steam-distilled. Time changes it twice: first on the mat, then again as the dark oil rests and rounds.

From ground to scent
  1. 01 · GroundAceh Selatan
  2. 02 · MaterialShade-dried leaf
  3. 03 · TransformationSteam-distilled
  4. 04 · The nose readsEarth · cocoa · timber
01 of 06
Explore Patchouli Aceh