The "Cautionary Tale" expansion pack introduces 3 new numbered scent compounds in the Green and Blue groups, and tackles famous scent compounds that are linked to danger. Crybaby discussed it a bit more on Instagram in regards to cannabis testing and GC ( where all 3 of these compounds can be found ), and it is an excellent primer for this exploration.

"There’s a lot of discussion about myrcene, these three, a lot less conversation. In fact, I almost never hear them mentioned in this sphere outside of testing, and even then almost exclusively regarding Pennyroyal’s historic use as an abortifacient and the assumed dangers of Pulegone. Unlike beer and cannabis, things like Pennyroyal ( Mentha pulegium - Pulegone’s namesake ), abnormally large amounts of high Estragole Basil and Tarragon, and large amounts of clove or clove oil are far less common in diets since the advances in toxicology and oncology of the 21st century, and there’s simply not as many angles to the research for conclusive human safety studies. That being said, they are still safe enough to receive exemption in food and beverage when part of a natural component ( like concentrated natural mango flavoring or expeller-pressed basil oil ) and important to understand in the realm of scent science.

Pulegone, the long-feared key odorant in Pennyroyal has a very unique mint odor, and is also the biosynthesis precursor to the viciously pissy ( but also skunky and oddly fruity ) sulfuric compound Thiomenthone (Black #5), a combination of the two possibly attributing to the phantom mint people think they’ve imagined in Buchu and Black Currant.

Estragole ( Methyl Chavicol ) is a phenylpropanoid and anisole like Anethole (Blue #8) and is best known as the key aroma compound in basil and tarragon, creating basil and tarragon’s anisic element, and even shaping how we know basil in the highest Linalool (Green #6) sweet varieties.

Methyl Eugenol, along with Eugenol itself, create the trademark odor of clove, and when combined with the peppery aroma of the β-Caryophyllene (Green #8), the trio cobble together the bold aroma of the spicy cold-weather baking accessory many of us know so well."

PSC Notes: "Cautionary Tale" is provided free with purchase of the core kits, as well as to current members. All you have to do is add it to your cart with any core kit and it should automatically be free, if there is nothing else in your cart, you will be charged $5 for domestic shipping. If you are a current member, please reach out to us directly so we can provide you a link to receive yours.