1. Read the available panel
NOSE uses terpene values included on a batch's Certificate of Analysis. Reports differ by laboratory and may omit compounds that still influence aroma.
Methodology and limitations
What NOSE calculates—and where it can be wrong.
The goal is a transparent comparison, not artificial certainty. This page describes the current prototype method in plain language.
2. Normalize the profile
Each terpene is converted to its share of the measured terpene total. This emphasizes profile shape rather than total intensity.
shareᵢ = terpeneᵢ ÷ measured terpene total
3. Compare profile shape
The prototype uses cosine similarity across the shared terpene dimensions. A higher value means the measured proportions point in a more similar direction.
similarity = (A · B) ÷ (‖A‖ × ‖B‖)
4. Report confidence
Confidence is reduced when a profile contains few measured compounds or a very small measured total. It is not a laboratory quality grade.
Important limitations
- A COA is a measurement of a tested sample, not every flower in the container.
- Terpene panels do not capture every volatile compound involved in aroma.
- Storage, age, moisture, and packaging can change what reaches your nose.
- Similarity does not predict enjoyment, medical benefit, impairment, or subjective effect.