Outside/In: Scents and Sensibility

So, why was potpourri so popular in the 1980’s, and what happened to it? Did the trend dry up… or just evolve?

We explore the transformation of potpourri, from the fermented mush of the Victorian era to the perfumed and colorful bag of pine cones of the eighties, and talk to a few of the people still making potpourri today.

Featuring: Yvette Weaver, Carly Still, Laure Moutet, Autumn Anderson, Paulus, and Ednita Tingle.

1 of 10  —  Taylor’s moist potpourri after a couple initial days of salt fermentation

Taylor Quimby

2 of 10  —  Taylor’s moist potpourri preparation

Taylor Quimby

3 of 10  —  Taylor’s finished jar of moist potpourri

Taylor Quimby

4 of 10  —  Various potpourri ingredients as cataloged by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

5 of 10  — Indian worker cuts dried luffa before dying

Courtesy of Laure Moutet

6 of 10  —  Indian worker dyes lotus leaves

Courtesy of Laure Moutet

7 of 10  —  Indian worker bleaches botanicals before dying

Courtesy of Laure Moutet

8 of 10  —  Indian workers bleaching and dying botanicals for potpourri

Courtesy of Laure Moutet

9 of 10  —  Laure Moutet, with piles of dyed potpourri botanicals drying in the sun

Courtesy of Laure Moutet

10 of 10  —  Autumn Anderson's brand of moss and mushroom potpourri

Autumn Anderson/Picasa

Links

An 1895 recipe from Sweet from Sweet Scented Flowers and Fragrant Leaves for50-year moist potpourri (the recipe begins on page 42).

From Death Scents: more fascinating info on the history of medieval trends that predate potpourri and the rise of “rotten pot” potpourri.

Fragrant Potpourri Preserves the Floral Scents of Summer: A 1975 NYT article that bridges the gap between moist and dried potpourri recipes.

A 1988 Glade Potpourri Spray commercial: Catchy tune!

Credits

Hosted by Justine Paradis

Reported and produced by Taylor Quimby

Edited by Justine Paradis

Mixed by Taylor Quimby

Additional Editing: Felix Poon and Jessica Hunt

Executive Producer: Rebecca Lavoie

Special thanks to Rosalyn LaPier, Mark Nesbit, and to NHPR’s voices from the ‘80s: Nick Capodice, Josh Rogers, Emily Quirk, Patricia McLaughlin, Rick Ganley, and Rebecca Lavoie.

Our theme music is byBreakmaster Cylinder. Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Ben Nestor.