My Favourite Smells
It’s all too easy to complain about all the things that are bad in life, overlooking some of the good things which we take for granted.
Like smell. You experience smells many times a day, sometimes nice, other times not so nice, but do you ever take the time to think about how much you would miss it if you didn’t have it.
For me, smell is one of the most powerful senses there is, certainly in terms of the emotions it is capable of conjuring up. With the right smell, I can close my eyes and recall vivid details of people, places and events that I thought I had long since forgotten.
So I thought I’d make a list of some of my favourite smells. Why? Well, I write this blog for me, and I enjoyed compiling the list. I’m a listmaker. What can I say?
Frying Onions
This always means something really tasty is being prepared. Onions are the key ingredient in most of my favourite meals, and the smell as they saute in a little oil makes me literally salivate.
Frying Bacon
A smell which can convert vegetarians, bacon is one of those smells that seems to activate your hunger muscles. If God didn’t want us to eat pigs, why did he make them out of bacon?
Baking Bread
There’s nothing in this world quite like a freshly baked loaf, still warm out of the oven. I used to work in a bakery but even now, years later, that smell never gets old.
Popcorn
I swear my local cinema pumps out the smell of popcorn into the nearby car park to subliminally entice people in. Movies just wouldn’t be the same without it.
Fresh Strawberries
The quintessential summer smell, particularly English strawberries at the height of the season. On a warm summer’s day, nothing tastes (or smells) better.
Chips with Salt & Vinegar
On a cold winter evening, the smell of cod and chips with lashings of salt and vinegar is enough to make anyone give up on their diet for the day.
Brewing Coffee
A strange one because I love the smell, but detest the taste. Supposed to help to sell houses, but I think I love the smell because it’s one I associate with lots of good memories with friends.
Curry
When I was young, I hated spicy food, particularly curry. But now, it’s one of my favourite foods in the world. The best curry smell is when you walk into a good Indian restaurant.
Marmite
One of those things that I yearn for while abroad. Marmite has a unique taste which is very hard to describe, but nothing makes me more homesick than the smell of it spread on hot buttered toast.
Whisky
I associate the smell of whisky with two people. My dad (Jack Daniels) and my grandad (Bells). I never developed a huge taste for it myself, but I still love the smell and who it reminds me of.
Beer
I have so many good memories associated with the smell of beer. I think most people do because of the social aspect, even if, like me, they’re not big drinkers. When I do drink, Brahma is my brew of choice.
Cigar Smoke
Strangely, I don’t actually smoke cigars, but love the smell. It takes me back immediately to my younger days when my Dad used to smoke cigars and my biggest worry in the world was how fast I could go on my BMX.
New Books
Any book lover can relate to this. That slightly chemically smell of the paper which you subliminally associate with your forthcoming reading pleasure.
2nd Hand Books
Equally, just as good, is the smell of old 2nd hand books. The aged paper, the worn out spine and well thumbed corners. My dream job would be to open a 2nd hand bookshop.
New Electronics
You know how it is. You’ve just been out and bought a new computer or TV, and the anticipation as you open the box is heightened by the smell of polystyrene, polyurethane and electronic components. Apple products smell the best, by the way.
New Game Smell
A combination of new book smell and new electronics. The smell of a new game cannot really be explained. Like most good smells, it’s one of association with good times past.
New Car Smell
So good, they even make air fresheners designed to recreate this smell. Truthfully though, your car only really ever has this smell once in it’s lifetime, and you can only really enjoy it if the car belongs to you.
Bleach
The smell of cleanliness. I realise I may be in a minority who likes this one, but it appeals to my slightly obsessive compulsive desire for things to be clean.
Chlorine
I love swimming. I don’t go often enough, but I have so many great memories of swimming with friends and family. The smell of chlorine takes me back to those great days.
Photographic Film
Almost any photographer will tell you what memories this smell evokes in them. Although I’m mostly digital and have only ever really dabbled with film, I’ve come to associate this smell with my passion for photography.
Pears Soap
Especially the liquid soap. The very definition of ‘clean smell’. I always make sure I have at least 2 spare ones in our bathroom cabinet.
White Musk
A crisp, clean smell. I like The Body Shop version, particularly in shower gel and eau de toilette form.
Chanel Pour Monsieur
Chanel make the best perfumes. This one is my fragrance of choice, my signature smell if you will. Unfortunately, it’s expensive enough that I usually save it for best.
Chanel Number 5
Another Chanel fragrance, this time for women. Popular for many years the world over, and for good reason. Smells heavily of jasmine, with hints of vanilla and sandalwood.
Fresh Linen
There’s nothing like slipping into a freshly made bed with just-washed sheets, or the smell of a fresh towel after stepping out the shower. Potent relaxation therapy.
New Shoes
A mix of rubber, leather, new car smell & new book smell. You don’t have to be a woman to enjoy the experience of buying new shoes. In fact, us men probably enjoy it more because we do it less often.
Bonfire
Pure nostalgic assocation. When I was just a boy, my family would regularly have bonfires in the autumn out in our back garden. Especially on fireworks night with sausages on forks and baked potatoes. One of my most treasured memories.
Barbeque
Any self-respecting man should be able to cook on a barbeque. Because we don’t have a garden these days, I miss them even more. Each year, you know summer has really arrived when you catch the wonderful smell of food over burning coals.
Coal Fire
On a winters evening, the smell of coal fires reminds me of Scotland, and childhood Christmas memories while visiting my grandparents.
Playdoh
Smells a bit like almonds and vanilla. Or marzipan. One sniff, and I’m 4 years old again without a care in the world.
Summer Storms
The smell usually arrives before the storm does. The change in air ionisation is a sign that a storm is coming, and I love storms, particularly in the summer.
Incense
I really love incense. There’s a particular brand I buy at a shop in Greenwich market. Better than any air freshener, and a really great way to create your own “signature-smell-associations” with other people.
Rubber
A wonderful smell. I’ll say no more.
Leather
Equally good.
Women
While one could argue that a woman only smells of what fragrances she wears and soaps she uses, most women I’ve ever been close to have had their own unique smell, and when you’re in love, whatever it is, it’s the best smell in the world. Bar none.
Hoorah! We can comment again!
I wouldn’t disagree with most of those apart from curry and women. I would like to add the smell of pine trees. Always takes me back to a holiday I had in spain when I was a kid and the place was surrounded by them. Also the smell of sea air. Bliss!