In the grand orchestration of our human senses, very often sight and sound take centre-stage, and taste and touch enjoy their brief moments in the spotlight. However, like the stage crew in a performance, the role of smell, though subtle and often ignored, is profoundly significant. While it may be sight that guides us through the world and sound that serenades our ears, it is the delicate ballet of smell that shapes our experiences, both elusive and sincere.

Namely, our sense of smell is often the unsung hero when it comes to food. In fact, studies show that approximately 80-90% of what we perceive as “taste” is in reality due to our olfactory (sense of smell) sensations. For instance, if you eat a Skittle of each colour while blocking your nose (and without knowing which Skittle is which), you should notice that, in the absence of olfaction, each Skittle tastes the exact same but it is in fact its smell that allows us to distinguish each flavour as unique. Those who have had a stuffy nose recently may remember how unusually dull their food tasted, which at the time they may have blamed on poor cooking. But in reality, this is all due to the deactivation of the sensory cells in our nose, which in turn affects the actuation of our taste buds. Evidently, our sense of smell has been intricately intertwined with our perception of taste, enriching our culinary experiences and allowing our curious selves to discern nuances and subtleties that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Moreover, from the tantalising aroma of pizza for dinner to the comforting scent of home, our olfactory experiences are deeply entwined with our emotions, memories and sometimes even our behaviour. Research has found that certain scents can trigger vivid recollections of the past, even those of memories long forgotten. As such, aromatherapy is emerging as a therapeutic tool to alleviate stress and anxiety, given that the power of smell to influence mood and cognition is becoming increasingly recognised. Unlike other senses, which rely on conscious recognition, our olfactory memories are ingrained in the limbic system (the brain’s behavioural and emotional system). Thus, smell possesses a remarkable key to unlock the door to our memories, transporting us back in time with unparalleled immediacy. 

All in all, in the intricate ballad of our senses, smell emerges not only as the conductor but also as a magician, weaving together the threads of our experiences with unprecedented finesse. From its ability to travel through time with a mere whiff to its fascinating interplay with taste, smell has undoubtedly proved itself as an irreplaceable musician in the symphony of our sensations.