Taste:
According to Datassentials, here are the most anticipated flavors to watch in 2024 and beyond that are showing up on restaurant menus, food trends and packaged treats.
Violet/Floral - yesss!
Mustard Seeds
Spicy Ranch
Caesar Everything (I love making vegan Caesar salad with capers, nutritional yeast and miso to mimic the umami(ness) of Ceasar dressing.)
Spam - ew, no thanks
Shawarma
Shaved Ice
Cresto De Gallo Pasta
Mexican Beers
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Amba - I am loving amba sauce at our local Pressed Cafe
Scamorza Cheese
Checca
Shiso
Nepitella
Sunomono
Grains of Selem
Nam Prik Pao
Hojicha
Toasted Rice Powder
How many of these have you tried? How many do you like and which of these have you never heard of before?
Scent:
Pipes
I’m not a smoker. Having just spent two days in Atlantic City, and being forced to inhale second-hand smoke inside all weekend, I was reminded of how much I despise the smell of smoke.
A pipe however, is a different story.
When I was little, my parents were good friends with another couple who often had us over for dinners and holidays. The husband had a pipe-smoking room and I remember being so intrigued with the unique smells and the whole process of smoking a pipe.
The smell of a pipe can be quite distinctive and even nostalgic. It often carries a rich, warm aroma that can evoke a sense of comfort and relaxation. Here are some characteristics of the typical pipe aroma:
Tobacco: The primary scent comes from the tobacco itself, which can vary depending on the blend. It can range from sweet and aromatic to earthy and robust.
Sweetness: Many pipe tobaccos have added flavors, which can include hints of vanilla, cherry, or honey, adding a sweet undertone to the smoke.
Woodsy: There’s often a woodsy, slightly smoky quality, reminiscent of a campfire or burning leaves, which adds to the nostalgic feeling.
Spice: Depending on the blend, you might detect notes of spices like cinnamon, clove, or nutmeg, adding a warm, slightly spicy edge to the scent.
Nutty and Earthy: Some blends have a nutty, earthy aroma, akin to toasted nuts or fresh earth, which can be very grounding and pleasant.
While I enjoy the sultry aroma of pipes, I never felt the need to smoke it. And sadly, our family friend eventually died of mouth cancer.
Sound:
Just learned about this site called Obsurify. It analyzes your music preferences through your Spotify playlists and compares it to your friends and strangers on the internet.
Apparently, my music proclivities are quite obscure compared to at least a million other people. How do you fare?
It also analyzes your music through the lens of your mood preferences, energy levels and which decade you tend to gravitate towards in music.
Touch:
Facials
My best friend from college treated me to a facial on our girls trip this past week to Atlantic City. While she got a massage, which was tempting, I have always enjoyed the feel of creams, scrubs, and serums delicately smearing my face by a skilled technician. I look forward to the steam on my face and even the extractions have a slight thrill to it knowing my black-heads will be banished from my nose for a little while at least.
She gave me a warm clay mask and after each step of the process bathed my face in warm damp towels to wipe it clean away.
My favorite part was the gentle massage she gave my face and neck. It was all incredibly soothing and peaceful. I could practically feel the collagen growing and taking it’s rightful place back on my middle-age skin.
Note to self: Don’t wait 5 years to do this again.
Sight:
Casinos
Most casino’s are a cacophony of sounds, and an absolute assault of your senses. What stood out to me the most after visiting the Borgata in Atlantic City this past week were the brightly lit, neon-infused slot-machine games. You meander through a casino and can’t help but be blinded by bright colors, flashing logos, animated game figures and spinning orbs.
I enjoy being swathed in colors and sounds for a short period of time. Then I want to seal myself up in a sensory deprivation tank for a few weeks.
Tell me. What is rocking YOUR five-senses this week? Share in the comments and don’t forget to like this post if you are enjoying this series!
Great article. In the taste category - I have had many, never heard of a handful and not interest in some. Most interesting for today is the Checca. I will make Pasta alla Checca tonight. I just happen to have wonderful orange cherry tomatoes in abundance.