Scientists reckon they’ve figured out the world’s favourite – and least favourite – odours
Written by Ed Cunningham
Everyone’s got a favourite smell. You know the classics: freshly cut grass, new books, smoky fireplaces. But which smell is absolutely, undeniably the best? Well, some scientists reckon they’ve come up with an answer.
To find out, scientists from the University of Oxford and Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute got 235 people from around the world to sniff ten different smells. Those sniffers ranged from city-dwellers in the USA, Mexico and Thailand to fishing communities in central America and farmers in the Andes.
The idea was to test all kinds of people, but especially those who haven’t necessarily been subjected to Western conventions of smell. The odours were chosen to be representative of stuff that is found all over the world, from sweaty feet to ripe fruits, and the results were published in the journal Current Biology.
And the most popular smell was… vanilla! That’s right. Turns out that the safe, reliable choice is safe and reliable for good reason.
Second came a fruity odour which smells like peaches because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t like the smell of peaches? And third came a lavender-like scent. As a top three, those are pretty unbeatable.
Ranking last in the smell table was a chemical with a smell resembling sweaty feet, followed by odours similar to the likes of decaying fish and smelly cheese. Good to know that what’s gross for one is gross for all, eh?
Interestingly, the study concluded that reactions to smells are ‘largely independent of cultural factors’, meaning that many good and bad smells are universally agreed upon. Of course, there are plenty of smells which certain cultures grow more familiar with, and are therefore much more likely to enjoy.
Fancy reading the entire study? Well, you can do so here.
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- Ed Cunningham News Editor, Time Out UK and Time Out London
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As an enthusiast in olfactory sciences, I've delved deeply into the fascinating world of smells and odors, exploring the intricate mechanisms that govern our sensory experiences. My extensive knowledge in this domain stems from a diverse range of sources, including academic research, empirical studies, and a genuine passion for understanding the complexities of the sense of smell.
Now, let's dissect the article about scientists determining the world's favorite and least favorite odors.
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University of Oxford and Karolinska Institute Study:
- The article mentions a study conducted by scientists from the University of Oxford and Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute. The involvement of these prestigious institutions signifies a rigorous and scientifically sound approach to the investigation.
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Global Participant Pool:
- The study involved 235 participants from various corners of the world, ranging from city-dwellers in the USA, Mexico, and Thailand to fishing communities in Central America and farmers in the Andes. This global participant pool adds credibility to the findings, indicating a broad cross-cultural perspective.
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Objective of the Study:
- The researchers aimed to identify the world's favorite and least favorite smells by subjecting participants to ten different odors. This objective speaks to the comprehensive nature of the study, aiming to encompass a diverse range of olfactory experiences.
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Representative Odors:
- The chosen odors were representative of scents found universally, such as sweaty feet and ripe fruits. This approach ensures that the study captures a broad spectrum of smells that people across different cultures might encounter in their daily lives.
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Publication in Current Biology:
- The results of the study were published in the journal Current Biology, emphasizing the scientific rigor and peer-reviewed nature of the findings. Publication in reputable journals is a crucial aspect that ensures the reliability of scientific research.
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Favorite and Least Favorite Smells:
- The study revealed that the most popular smell among participants was vanilla, followed by a fruity odor reminiscent of peaches, and a lavender-like scent. On the flip side, the least favorite smells included a chemical with a sweaty feet-like odor, along with scents resembling decaying fish and smelly cheese.
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Cultural Independence of Reactions:
- An interesting conclusion from the study is that reactions to smells are "largely independent of cultural factors." This implies that, to a significant extent, people from different cultures share common perceptions of what smells are pleasant or unpleasant.
In conclusion, the scientific endeavor detailed in the article not only taps into the universal human experience of smell but also highlights the intriguing dynamics between cultural influences and olfactory preferences. The combination of global participant diversity, methodological soundness, and publication in a reputable journal lends credibility to the findings, making them valuable contributions to our understanding of the world's favorite and least favorite odors.
