Practices in Smelling: Spicing It Up

Finding moments of delight this time of year.

This month we continue with the series, “Practices in Smelling,” which aims to inspire and animate you to engage with your sense of smell more.

This time of year I really enjoy cooking and baking. Maybe it’s because my boys are back home for the holidays and I can spoil them a little. But, to be perfectly honest, it’s probably also because of the aromas that fill the house. There’s something comforting about the smell of a hearty stew simmering on the stove, or cookies baking in the oven, that reminds me that things are going to be alright. They will be alright, won’t they?

I was trying to put my finger on what it is exactly that creates this feeling and it occurred to me that it’s the spices that find themselves in so many of the foods we eat during the holiday season. I find spices magical because they bring so much depth and dimension to otherwise boring foods. They add complexity, and sometimes even color, which makes eating a real joy.

To me spices are the quintessential flavor “spark” that we all need right now to help create little moments of bliss. And it’s your sense of smell that’s the catalyst which unlocks this pleasure because about 80% of our eating experience is our olfactory system at work.

The spices I’m using a lot right now are cinnamon, clove, and ginger. All of them are warming, which seems fitting this time of year. I put them in my oatmeal, add them to soups, and generously sprinkle them into baked desserts. The aromas never fail to delight!

My favorite drink to make is glühwein (mulled wine) because it takes me back to strolling through the Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) in Germany. Glühwein literally means “glow-wine” I imagine because of how you feel after drinking it in ceramic mugs outside in the bitter cold. You can smell the signature sweet, rich blend of cinnamon, clove, and star anise, plus orange slices for a dash of brightness, wafting through the air even before you arrive at the stall. It’s usually the first place I go. Here’s a simple recipe if you’d like to try it yourself.

So, all this time in the kitchen got me thinking about how we can practice smelling this holiday season, and I thought about spices being the perfect choice. Here are a few olfactory exercises you can try out as you cook & bake over the coming weeks.