Spicy

Fenugreek smells like warm maple syrup mixed with fresh hay and a whisper of burnt sugar—imagine walking past a bakery on a cool morning where someone's just caramelised something sweet. There's an earthy, almost celery-like greenness underneath, but it's wrapped in spicy warmth that feels slightly gourmand and comforting. It's less aggressive than other spices; instead, it's honeyed and slightly nutty, like toasted cumin has been mellowed with cream. If nutmeg had a softer cousin, fenugreek would be it.

Woody

Vetiver smells like freshly turned earth after rainfall, mixed with dry hay and a whisper of smoke. Imagine walking through a sun-baked field where roots and soil still hold morning dew—that's the grounding, slightly dusty quality you'll encounter. There's an almost savoury, mineral-like character, with hints of cedarwood and green tea. It's simultaneously earthy and arid, never sweet, with a faint green-wood quality that feels both calming and deeply natural. Think of it as the scent of resilience and stability in olfactory form.