If you’ve ever heard that coffee beans are used by aromatherapists and perfumers, you might have wondered why. After all, coffee beans aren’t essential oils, so what’s the connection? In this blog post, I’ll break down why both aromatherapists and perfumers use coffee beans to reset their sense of smell, and how this simple practice will help you create better blends!
My First Sniffing Coffee Experience
In 1999 I spent the weekend with my dear friend Roseanne O’Donnell, Founder of SunRose Aromatics. I was in NYC for an aromatherapy training with the legendary Mynou DeMay and Roseanne generously offered me to stay at her home in the Bronx while taking the course.
One evening we were sitting at her blending table and she was telling me the importance of sniffing coffee beans while blending. Before she had a chance to tell me how to use the ground coffee she had sitting on the table, I picked up the jar, took a big whiff and ended up with both nostrils full of ground coffee! Roseanne went on to explain that Aromatherapists normally use coffee beans for that exact reason! She didn’t have any unground beans at the time so she was going to teach me to use my hand to gently waft the coffee aroma toward me, so that I wouldn’t get grounds up my nose. That was a lesson I will NEVER forget!
How Coffee Beans Help Reset Your Sense of Smell
When we keep smelling the same or similar things over and over again, it can become harder to distinguish the subtle differences between them. This is especially true when blending essential oils or perfumes, where there are many complex aromas to experience.
When you’re working with a mix of oils, you need to make sure you can truly smell the individual notes, so you can create the best blend possible. This is where coffee beans come in!
Clearing the Smell Memory
Just like how you might remember a song or a picture, your brain also remembers smells. But after smelling a few different oils or fragrances, your nose can start to mix them up. Coffee beans act as a “reset button” for your sense of smell.
When you smell coffee beans, their powerful scent helps to clear your nose’s memory of the previous smells, allowing you to start fresh. This way, your nose is ready to smell the next essential oil or fragrance with clarity.
The Power of Coffee’s Strong Smell
Coffee has a very distinct and bold scent. It’s strong enough to overpower lingering smells from earlier, making it easier for your nose to detect the next scent in line. Think of it like stepping out into the fresh air after being in a stuffy room — it gives your nose a clean slate.
Since coffee beans are so aromatic, they do a great job at clearing your olfactory palette. This allows both aromatherapists and perfumers to identify the individual notes of each scent they are working with.
Why Aromatherapists and Perfumers Use Coffee Beans
Aromatherapists blend essential oils to help support health and well-being, while perfumers create beautiful, complex fragrances. Both need to ensure that their noses stay fresh and accurate, so they can create perfect blends. Using coffee beans to reset their sense of smell ensures that they are working with a clean olfactory slate, giving them a better chance of success in their creations.
How to Use Coffee Beans to Clear Your Palette
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for how you can use coffee beans while working with your aromatics:
- Smell the first essential oil.
- Smell a few coffee beans to clear your nose. The strong coffee scent will overpower any lingering smells.
- Smell the next essential oil. You should notice that your sense of smell is fresher and more accurate.
By repeating this process, you can make sure that you’re blending oils with the purest and clearest sense of smell.
Fun Fact: Other Methods for Clearing Your Olfactory Palette
While coffee beans are a favorite tool for resetting the nose, some people also use unscented white paper or simply step outside for a few minutes to clear their senses. However, coffee beans are the most commonly used method because they’re effective and easy to find!
