Carvone
A terpene that smells of caraway in one form and spearmint in its mirror image.
Also: caraway aroma compound, spearmint compound, R-carvone
Carvone is a compound that exists in two mirror-image forms. The R form dominates caraway and dill seed and smells of rye bread, while the S form gives spearmint its smell. The same atoms, arranged as mirror images, bind different receptors in the nose, a classic example in chemistry textbooks. Caraway oil contains up to 60 percent carvone, with limonene as the other major element. Carvone is used in flavourings, liqueurs, toothpaste and as a natural sprout inhibitor in stored potatoes. In the kitchen it explains why caraway tastes sharp and cooling, and pairs with fatty meats and cabbage.