Perceptual consequences of odour/taste integration arise
in the same way. The well-known phenomena of food
odours being described in terms of tastes — the sweet
smell of vanilla or the sour smell of vinegar — are
consequences of odour/taste integration and learning that
is apparently independent from the hedonic changes
[11,14]. Thus, pairing a novel odour with a sweet
taste in solution, even on only a few occasions, will
permanently produce an odour that smells sweet — for
that individual experiencing this combination. As well, it
has been shown that odours can take on tactile properties
such as fattiness or viscosity, when presented in fat
containing foods such as milk [15
,16]. Of course, within
a culture, particular odours, tastes and textures are a
feature of that culture’s cuisine, or flavour principle
[17], and hence a majority of consumers can be expected
to experience odour–taste properties similarly.
The