Often, one whiff of a familiar smell can transport us back in time and immediately evoke nostalgic feelings. Ever been in a lift when someone with perfume walks in and the scent suddenly sends you back to secondary school? Or does the smell of suntan lotion remind you of summers spent by the seaside with buckets and spades, perhaps in a tent, no doubt eating ice cream on the beach? Nostalgia has a funny effect on people and our noses have a way of sniffing it out.
According to experts smell goes into the emotional part of the brain and also the memory section, whereas words are processed by the thinking mechanism. So it’s no surprise that smell is one of the most powerful senses when it comes to evoking and triggering memories.
To find out more about our relationship with nostalgia, Supplies for Candles asked which British smells people loved the most, and according to their research these are some of our favourite scents.
Great British BBQ
The low-and-slow smoking smell of meats grilling over glowing coal embers is intoxicatingly good. Just a whiff of the Great British BBQ is one of the best things about summertime. It reminds us of good times spent with friends and family, imbibing and laughing in the sun.
Baking bread
Slicing through the smell of our favourite scents is freshly baked bread. It’s comforting, homely and mouthwatering delicious.
Cup of Tea
The aroma of a cup of tea is something that us tea drinking Brits absolutely adore. How to describe the smell of a cuppa? We’re not sure. But for us it reminds us of pure comfort and utter joy.
Freshly cut grass
Who doesn’t love sniffing the smell of a newly mown lawn, reminding us of heady summer days spent in the sun.
Fish & Chips
Fish & chips is not only one of the nations favourite dishes, it’s one of our favourite smells. Whether it reminds you of summer holidays by the seaside or going down to the chippy for a treat as a kid, one thing is for sure – the mouth-watering aroma of fish and chips just makes us happy.
British, Sunday roast
Ah, the sweet, sweet smell of a Sunday roast. It reminds us of good times spent with family and friends. There truly is nothing like it.
Salty sea air
The salty sea air always tantalizes our memories, reminding us of relaxing days by the beach, fun coastal walks and boat trips. We love it.