Taste and smell are deeply connected, creating the full flavour experience. While we might focus on the food or drink in front of us, the combination of your taste buds and your sense of smell transforms a simple meal into something truly memorable.

Taste and Smell: A Dynamic Duo

Your taste buds can identify five basic flavours: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Think about the last time you enjoyed a rich chocolate cake or a fresh citrus salad. While your tongue may register sweetness or tartness, it’s the aromas—the subtle notes of vanilla or the bright zest of lemon—that really bring out the full depth of the flavour. In fact, up to 80% of what we perceive as flavour comes from smell. It’s the aromas that fill the air and enhance the overall experience of taste.

The Science of Smell and Flavour

When you eat or drink, aroma molecules travel from your plate or cup to your nasal passages through a process known as retronasal olfaction. This allows you to experience the full range of flavours in your food and drink. If your sense of smell is diminished, you may notice that the food or drink tastes flat, lacking the layers of flavour you usually enjoy.

Aromatics and Your Choices

Certain scents can elevate the flavour of food and drinks, making them feel more vibrant. This isn’t limited to one food category—many flavours benefit from aromatic enhancement. Studies have shown that appealing aromas can increase your appetite and make even the simplest dishes extraordinary. Just ask anyone who has tried adding a bit of raw cacao into a sauce for chicken! It sounded so out there to my ears when I first heard it, and after trying it myself, I am now a convert!

Experimenting with Flavour Pairings

Think about how the aromas of your food can complement the flavours of your drinks. For example:

• Pair citrus-based dishes with fruity or citrus-flavoured drinks for a harmonious balance.

• When grilling meats, use marinades with aromatic herbs or spices that echo the flavours of your main dish.

Engage Your Senses Fully

Before eating or drinking, take a moment to breathe in the aromas around you. The act of inhaling those scents can enhance the way you perceive the flavours, making each bite or sip more complex and satisfying.

Create the Right Atmosphere

The environment in which you dine plays a crucial role in enhancing your experience. Surround yourself with the natural aromas of the food and drink, setting the scene for a truly immersive sensory experience. Whether you’re hosting a special occasion or simply enjoying a meal at home, think about how the right combination of scents can elevate the entire moment.

By paying closer attention to the aromas accompanying your meals and drinks, you can unlock a new level of flavour. Tune in to those scents can transform any dish, making every bite or sip something to savour.

The Use of Essential Oils in Food Preparation: A Cautionary Note

While the use of essential oils in cooking may seem like a novel way to enhance flavour, there are two important reasons why home cooking does not need to include essential oils.

1. Sustainability and Nutritional Value

Essential oils are concentrated plant materials that require significant resources to produce. They are precious, highly potent substances that should be used thoughtfully. Unlike fresh herbs or other flavouring agents, essential oils have no nutritional value—they cannot contribute any vitamins, minerals, or other beneficial compounds to your meal. If you’re looking to enhance the taste of your dish, there are far better alternatives. Fresh herbs, infusions, and even bitters provide much more control and flexibility in adjusting the flavour without the risk of overuse or waste of valuable essential oils.

2. Safety Risks in the Home Kitchen

The safety of essential oils in food preparation is a significant concern. For instance, a single drop of peppermint essential oil is equivalent to about 20 tea cups of peppermint tea. The concentrated nature of essential oils means that their compounds are much more potent than the plant material they come from. This can be dangerous when ingested in even small amounts.

Essential oils can have corrosive effects on the soft tissues of the throat, mouth, and stomach lining. Their concentrated nature means they can irritate or damage these delicate tissues, causing discomfort or harm. This risk is far too high for something as simple as a flavour burst, especially when there are safer and more effective ways to achieve the same result. Adding fresh herbs to your cooking, making flavourful infusions, or using bitters are safer alternatives that provide a rich, layered flavour without the dangers of essential oils.

Why Larger Industries Can Use Essential Oils Safely

Essential oils may be added to products under strict safety guidelines and regulations in more significant food production. These industries follow precise protocols to ensure that any essential oils used are safe for consumption. These standards do not apply to a home kitchen, where measurements, proper dilution, and safety procedures are far more challenging to control. For the home cook, it's better to stick to more traditional, proven methods of flavour enhancement to ensure both safety and sustainability.