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The Science of Scent

Is Cold Brew Less Sour Simply Because It Is Cold?

Do differences between cold and hot brewing remain when strength and serving temperature are matched? A comparison of 27 immersion-brewing conditions found differences in sourness and floral flavor, but perceived sourness did not simply track chemical acidity.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

How Does Nut Milk Change Coffee Flavor?

A study added milks made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts to coffee. Differences in composition associated with the nuts and roasting reveal the challenge of achieving both appealing flavor and mouthfeel.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Can Fruitiness Change Even When Aroma Compounds Stay the Same?

A time-based evaluation of 12 model wines with the same aroma mixture explores how alcohol and glycerol relate to fruitiness, bitterness, and lingering sensations.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

What Happens in the Brain When a Scent Feels Strong?

By measuring odor concentration separately from perceived intensity, a study of electrical brain activity in 46 people explores signals traveling back and forth between the olfactory bulb and piriform cortex.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Do Genetic Differences Affect the Ability to Identify Odors?

An analysis of up to 21,495 people examined genetic associations with identifying 12 odors, exploring odor-specific differences and associations that vary between women and men.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Are Pleasant and Unpleasant Odors Handled Separately in the Brain?

Does the brain represent odor preferences on a single scale? Detailed fMRI recordings from three people explore separate activity patterns for pleasant and unpleasant odors and frontal regions that represent what they have in common.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Is Text More Memorable When Accompanied by Scent?

Does adding a scent that matches a poem change how it is learned? An experiment with 87 fourth graders examines immediate and three-day memory, understanding of poetic scenes, and enjoyment of learning.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Do People Notice Scent at a Virtual-Reality Dining Table?

What happens when the smell of french fries is added to a food-filled VR environment? Around 18% of respondents reported noticing it. A virtual-buffet study explores why simply adding scent does not guarantee that it will register.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Does Food Smell Weaker When You Are Absorbed in a Game?

Does the same odor seem weaker during a difficult game? An experiment in which 30 people played Tetris at different difficulty levels explores attention, odor intensity, and a hypothesis about distracted eating.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
The Science of Scent

Does a Fruit’s Scent Make It Easier to Find?

An experiment with 22 people briefly displayed fruit images to test whether scent–target congruency changes performance. Accuracy, response time, and individual differences tell different parts of the story.
2026.11.03
The Science of Scent
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