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The Power of Aroma

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[Aromas] have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions, or will. The persuasive power of an [aroma] cannot be fended off, it enters into us like breath into our lungs, it fills us up, imbues us totally. There is no remedy for it. – Patrick Süskind

As soon as you enter your home around dinner time, what is the first thing that strikes you? What makes you look forward to the dinner?

It’s the aroma of food wafting through the air. Right?!

It’s this aroma, that you get through your sense of smell that lets you explore food before you eat it. It is this aroma, that lets you know that the food is good, even before you see or taste it. This sense of smell actually acts as an appetizer, tempting you to taste and enjoy the food.

Food smells hold the key to some amazing old memories too. A food smell can help us relive a special time that, and make us do time travel to a place we could never go back to. A food aroma can make a magical moment live on, for just a little bit longer.

Researchers have found that just smelling food may satisfy hunger cravings. Few minutes of simply smelling an unhealthy meal—like deep-dish cheese pizza, for example—seems to signal satisfaction to the brain as much when you actually eat it.

So, taking in the aroma of food can trigger such strong emotions and memories.

I am sharing a list of foods that entice me with their aroma.

1. Coffee

Coffee justifies the existence of the word aroma. There’s nothing better than waking up to the smell of fresh coffee. Its smell makes the soul and the body smile!

2. Roasted Garlic

Have you roasted garlic with a dash of oil, salt and pepper in an oven? I love adding roasted garlic to the sauces, dressings, salads and spreads! It not only gives that extra zing to the food but also smells divine.

3. Banana Bread

Banana Bread is the most baked tea-time cake in my kitchen. If heaven had a smell, I imagine it would be the smell of banana bread. Brown sugar with ripe bananas and butter is the best recipe for making the home smell terrific.

THE POWER OF FOOD AROMA

4. Bread

My neighbour in Mumbai used to make bread at home. The amazing aroma that came from her kitchen as the dough rose to yeasty goodness, is a sweet smell of nostalgia for me.

5. Bacon

The husband and son love bacon and when they sizzle and slow cook it for their breakfast, the aroma that wafts from the kitchen, tantalizes and tempts a non-bacon-eater me too.

6. Fresh Boiled Milk

No, not the carton milk or the soy milk. I am talking about the pure fresh unadulterated milk straight from the dairy farm. The sweet fruity smell of boiled milk is so comforting and always reminds me of my grandparents’ home.

7. Tadka

The fragrant smell of a hot tempering for a dal with the crackle of cumin, mustard seeds and hing (asafoetida) and sometimes curry leaves is so satisfying to the soul.

While you could purchase a variety of air fresheners and sprays to make the house smell wonderful, nothing beats the aromas that waft from the kitchen

I wish that your home is full of good food aromas, good mood, and good memories!

Which food aromas trigger wonderful feelings for you?

My theme for this year’s Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is Food Talks. Join me for some interesting, fun conversations about food experiences, experiments, basics, tips, ideas, hacks, trends and much more.

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33 Responses

  1. On yes the smell of coffee and tadka is yum! Had no clue that just by smelling food we can satiate cravings!

  2. Other aromas evoke memories too, whenever I go to the beach, and different beaches have different smells. The first rain drops after a dry spell hitting the dust. A wet dog …
    When it comes to food I love the smell of quinces cooking.

  3. Food talks looks lovely ke a very interesting theme. Aroma is the first thing which strikes us and leads to many things. All the best for #AtoZchallenge 🙂

  4. A different take on food. Aroma !! We just focus on taste, but It’s the aroma to which we connect first, smell of hot brewed coffee, Dal mein Tadka, Curry leaves ki mehak…Waah! Lovely post!!

  5. Aroma can make a lot of difference in food appeal. In India saying used to go, “smelling is equivalent to half eating.” You also mentioned it, smell may impact satiety centre. Look forward to other posts.

  6. Awwwww! Now I’m craving for all of these… especially your banana cake and coffee! 😛 😀

    Btw, for some strange reason, every time Dad and I return home after say 4-5 hours, we are greeted by the smell of mango pickle as soon as we open the door. Even when we don’t have any mango pickle in our home! 😐

    Find my post for today @ Acceptance Is the Key to Happiness

  7. Coffee, roasted garlic, tadka – oh yeah. Aroma can sure be enticing. Your post took me back to those times when I was in school/college. Getting back home, I used to follow my nose to the meal she prepared evening after evening. Nostalgiaaaaa 😀

  8. Rightly said shilpa, food aroma has memories – love the smell o sambar, fish fry, chicken curry and yes Tea/coffee too – in tadka we use the ginger garlic paste which adds to the taste.

  9. True, I could not imagine anything without specific aroma and my love for food arises from aroma. Banana cinnamon bread’s aroma is what I love the most.

  10. This post has made me all hungry. My mother’s cooking has such aroma that even in my dreams I can recognise what she is making. My kids too can recognise my cooking, Oddly, I can never smell anything when I cook!

  11. Love the beginning and I agree aroma of food is one of the major components that not only raise appetite but also set a mood for good dining. looking forward for all upcoming post. #blogchatterA2Z

  12. I would swap out coffee for ginger tea but tomorrow definitely going to notice the smell of fresh boiled milk. Never really paid attention to it before

  13. What an excellent theme and such a brilliant post to start with. Aromas can kindle emotions within me and I love all the aromas that you have mentioned here except that of boiled milk, that smell puts me off!

    Banana bread and roasted garlic tops the list for me!

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