"Why Do We Smell Coffee When Testing Perfume? Scientific Facts and Claims of Manipulation"
You’ve probably heard that we need to smell coffee when testing perfumes. Coffee is one of the heaviest and sharpest aromas among the plants. In the world of perfumery, coffee is often introduced after trying a few scents to "cleanse" our noses from other fragrance molecules. But does this really work, or is it just a sales tactic? Here are the scientific facts and claims of manipulation on this subject.
The Purpose of Smelling Coffee and Its Scientific Basis
In the perfumery industry, it is said that smelling coffee after testing a few perfumes aims to "neutralize" the scent receptors in the nose. However, there is not enough scientific evidence behind this claim. Some studies do not support the idea that coffee resets the sense of smell and question the effectiveness of this practice.
Scientific Research and Opinions
Adaptation of the Sense of Smell: Research shows that when the nose's scent receptors are exposed to intense odors, they eventually adapt, and we stop perceiving the same scent after a while. This process is known as "olfactory fatigue."
The Effect of Smelling Coffee: Research examining whether smelling coffee helps to relieve olfactory fatigue is limited. A few studies suggest that the scent of coffee does not actually neutralize the scent receptors; rather, it provides a different strong scent. This may create a brief pause between the intense odors perceived by the nose but does not fully neutralize them.
Psychology and Manipulation
Some experts argue that smelling coffee has a psychological effect, and when customers believe their noses have been "cleansed," they become more open-minded. This can influence their preferences and boost sales.
Manipulation Claims: There are claims that smelling coffee is used as a manipulation tool to increase perfume sales. These claims suggest that customers believe their sense of smell has truly been neutralized, leading them to try more scents and become less selective during their decision-making process. As a result, customers may choose different perfumes than the ones they initially liked and may not be satisfied with their choices.
Conclusion
The question of whether smelling coffee really neutralizes the sense of smell is still debated. Scientific evidence does not support the idea that this practice provides definite benefits. However, its psychological impact and manipulative role in the shopping experience cannot be overlooked. It’s important to be aware of how smelling coffee can influence your decision-making when choosing a perfume.
Sefa YAMAN
Resources:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2989818/