In most cases, our noses are the first indicators of how something will taste before we actually put it in our mouth. Usually the scent and taste of a food are in-sync, so we can typically guess that the three-cheese pasta that’s making you feel some type of way tastes just as good as it smells.
There are a few cases, however, where the two senses don’t line up. Take vanilla extract for example – a beautiful scent, but terrible when eaten just by itself. It also works the other way, where things may smell awful but taste quite the opposite, as is the case with these ten odorous but delicious foods. Give these a try, and your nose just might forgive you.
1. Durian
Photo courtesy of @zenkinz on Instagram
This Asian fruit is a love-it-or-hate-it type deal, but the inside is perhaps the creamiest and richest fruit you’ll ever try. It’s also pretty darn good for you, with tons of vitamins and antioxidants.
2. Kimchi
Photo by Irene Kim
Otherwise known as fermented cabbage, this Korean dish may not be the best thing for your nose, but it’s a staple in Asian cuisine and can be served as a side dish for pretty much everything. It’s pretty lit in fried rice, too.
3. Collard greens
Photo courtesy of @mamosasgp on Instagram
You’ll often find this paired with macaroni and cheese or fried chicken, ranking high in the list of soul foods from the south. They give off a strong sulfurous smell, but when cooked with the right mix of onions, broth, and ham, they’re pretty addicting.
4. Balsamic vinegar
Photo by Bernard Wen
Balsamic is actually one of the easier vinegars to stomach, and you can find it in a wide assortment of dishes, from a Caprese salad to salt and vinegar cookies. It may have a tangy smell, but it provides the perfect mix of tart and sweet that you really can’t find anywhere else.
5. Brussels sprouts
Photo by Andrea Kang
You can avoid the wonky odors by cooking them quickly – we recommend giving them a go in your broiler or in a sauté pan. If you’re able to muster both balsamic vinegar and Brussels sprouts at once, this recipe is for you.
6. Parmesan cheese
Photo by Jedd Marrero
There are some pretty foul-smelling cheeses out there, but parmesan smells just like the dried up sweat from the gym bag you’re always meaning to wash. But that’s totally okay because it melts nicely and makes a good combo with spaghetti squash.
7. Sauerkraut
Photo courtesy of @sophisticatedcaveman on Instagram
It makes a fantastic topping for hot dogs, and like kimchi, it’s fermented cabbage – just with a different set of spices. Fermentation may not always yield the most pleasant-smelling foods, but damn are they delicious.
8. Boiled Eggs
Photo courtesy of @danielabarboza0 on Instagram
Boiling eggs gives off a distinct sulfur smell that reeks to the high heavens above, but these protein-packed nuggets are still yummy nonetheless. Sometimes all you need is a little salt and pepper, or a small drizzle of hot sauce, and you’re golden.
9. Truffle Oil
Photo by Jessica Kelly
Some people totally dig the earthy smell, but to most people, it’s just reminiscent of stale farts. Once you look past it, though, you’ll see that truffle oil totally aids an earthy depth to any savory dish, especially pasta and pizzas.
10. Papaya
Photo courtesy of @frommybowl on Instagram
Yeah, papaya is good for you, and yeah, it’s a pretty iconic tropical fruit, but it also smells like feet and the seeds are oddly similar to baby fish eggs. Still, this fruit adds amazing flavor to smoothies and desserts, making the foot smell kinda worth it.