Abstract: The substance application bar includes an application portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface and configured for applying a substance to a receiving surface and at least one blocking extension extending adjacent the interior surface of the application portion to define a retaining recess therebetween. The blocking extension and the interior surface are associated to cooperatively substantially block movement of an object received in the retaining recess in a direction generally along the interior surface against the blocking extension. The substance application bar may also include at least one bar-preserving extension associated with the interior surface to maintain a portion of the recess open to the atmosphere. This facilitates air flow through and drying of the recess for resisting deterioration of the bar. An assembly of application bars in stacked association also is included.

Abstract: The invention relates to a table of botanical ingredients useful for blending combinations that produce a pleasing, desired organoleptic effect. The botanical ingredients are, for example, essential oils or herbs and spices. The table includes different groups of cells of the table. Each group includes ingredients that possess varying degrees of similarity in one or more characteristics. Each cell corresponds to a single ingredient. The groups are arranged such that adjacent cells in the same or different groups correspond to ingredients that possess the closest similarities in one or more characteristics. The invention further relates to methods of preparing the table.