Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun organic chemistry A derivative of decahydronaphthalene that has a strong earthy smell

Etymologies

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Examples

  • It's an enzyme called geosmin that gives out the smell.

    Daily News & Analysis 2010

  • Beet aroma comes largely from an earthy-smelling molecule called geosmin, which was long thought to originate with soil microbes, but now appears also to be produced by the beet root itself.

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

  • Beet aroma comes largely from an earthy-smelling molecule called geosmin, which was long thought to originate with soil microbes, but now appears also to be produced by the beet root itself.

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

  • He said this was caused by a harmless chemical called geosmin produced by algae in the Voelvlei Dam near Gouda.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1995

  • "When the algae dies their cells rupture and they release a chemical called geosmin, and that's predominately what gives us our taste and odor problem," Echols said.

    TOP STORIES - News 8 2010

  • "When the algae dies their cells rupture and they release a chemical called geosmin, and that's predominately what gives us our taste and odor problem," Echols said.

    TOP STORIES - News 8 2010

  • Actinomycetes, which look like strands of fungus, break down rotting piles of vegetation, producing geosmin, the source of the aroma of healthy soil.

    Actinomycetes doyle 2009

  • Actinomycetes, which look like strands of fungus, break down rotting piles of vegetation, producing geosmin, the source of the aroma of healthy soil.

    Archive 2009-02-01 doyle 2009

  • Acidity—whether in a poaching liquid, or in a buttermilk dip before frying— also mutes the volatility of fishy amines and aldehydes, and helps break down muddy-smelling geosmin that farmed freshwater fish catfish, carp sometimes accumulate from blue-green algae.

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

  • The chemical culprits are two compounds that are produced by blue-green algae, especially in warm weather geosmin and methylisoborneol.

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

Comments

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  • Literally translates to "earth smell", an organic compound with a distinct earthy flavour and aroma, and is responsible for the earthy taste of beets. The human nose is extremely sensitive to geosmin. (Wikipedia)

    June 9, 2008

  • it blows the very mind! every time I come back to this page I make like a yawfle and stare (and stare. and stare)

    April 30, 2009