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Geosmin

Geosmin is an organic compound with a distinct earthy flavor and aroma, and is responsible for the earthy taste of beets and a contributor to the strong scent that occurs in the air when rain falls after a dry spell of weather or when soil is disturbed. It is produced by a variety of microorganisms. Chemically, it is a bicyclic alcohol with formula C12H22O, a derivative of decalin. Its name is derived from the Greek γεω "earth" and ὀσμή "smell".