Quck answer
The worst smell one can imagine is subjective and varies from person to person. However, some smells are commonly considered unpleasant, such as rotting garbage, sewage, or decomposing animals. Other strong and offensive odors include sulfur, vomit, and skunk spray. The perception of smell is influenced by personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and individual sensitivities. Ultimately, the worst smell is a matter of personal opinion and can differ greatly among individuals.
Do you enjoy pizza? Undoubtedly, you do! Who doesn’t, right? Is there anything that emits as delightful aroma as a hot pepperoni pizza straight out of the oven?
The tomato sauce blends with the melted mozzarella cheese. The garlic and freshly baked crust emit fragrances that will make your mouth water.
What other scents bring joy to your nose? For some individuals, nothing compares to the smell of a pine forest just after a spring rain.
Others might adore stopping to smell the roses when they’re in full bloom. If you ever visit a candle store, you’ll quickly realize there’s an endless variety of things that smell pleasant.
Naturally, there are also numerous things that don’t smell so pleasant: your socks after playing soccer, garbage cans, dirty diapers, pungent cheese, rotten eggs, skunks, etc. The list goes on and on.
What’s the most unpleasant odor you’ve ever experienced? If you had to narrow it down to the most offensive smell ever, what would it be?
For some individuals, there’s a definite answer to the most unpleasant odor you can envision: surströmming. Say what? Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of surströmming. Most people outside of Sweden have never heard of it…or tasted it.
That’s right! Surströmming is a type of food. Specifically, it’s a fermented herring. The name surströmming is Swedish for “sour herring.”
In May of each year, Baltic herring are caught just before they spawn. They are immersed in a strong brine solution for about a day to extract their blood. The fish are then gutted and decapitated before being placed in a weaker brine solution.
In the brine solution, the process of fermentation begins. A lactic acid enzyme in the fish spines releases foul-smelling acids and hydrogen sulphide. As they continue to ferment in their own bacteria, just enough salt is added to prevent them from rotting.
Although this process might seem somewhat unappetizing, it’s actually a food preservation method that has been used for centuries. In early July, the fish is canned and available for sale starting on the third Thursday in August.
The third Thursday in August marks the traditional time to have a surströmmingsskiva, which is a celebration centered around opening cans of and eating surströmming. While not everyone in Sweden enjoys surströmming or celebrates it with a party, the pungent fish is particularly popular in northern Sweden.
If you purchase a can of surströmming, you need to store it in a refrigerator. The fermentation process continues in the can, and over time, the cans will noticeably bulge as the fish ages. If it becomes too warm, the lactic acid will spoil the fish.
When it’s time to open a can of surströmming, experts recommend doing it outdoors. Some even open the cans underwater to minimize the unpleasant smell.
What does it smell like? More overpowering than typical rotting fish, some have compared the smell to decomposing bodies, dirty diapers, pungent cheese, vinegar, and seafood all combined into one terrible odor!
Fortunately, surströmming is not meant to be consumed on its own. Instead, chefs suggest eating it as part of a sandwich on thin, buttered bread and topped with thinly-sliced potatoes, diced red onion, sour cream, chives, and dill. Some people even drink milk and eat a wedge of hard cheese alongside their surströmming sandwich!
Give It a Try
Are you prepared to challenge your sense of smell? Find a friend or family member to assist you in exploring the following activities:
- Chances are, you’ve probably never tasted surströmming unless you’re from or have been to Sweden. However, that doesn’t mean you haven’t tried some pungent foods before. Take a moment to think about it and then create a list of the five most foul-smelling or tasting foods you’ve ever encountered. Share your list with a friend or family member and see if they can come up with their own list.
- Watch a few online videos on How To Eat Surströmming the Correct Way. These videos will demonstrate the recommended methods of preparing and consuming surströmming. What are your thoughts? Would you be willing to try surströmming if you had the opportunity? Why or why not?
- While you may not be able to find surströmming at your local grocery store (unless you live in or near Sweden!), there’s a good chance you can find other aromatic foods that you haven’t tried before. Enlist the help of a brave adult friend or family member and go on a field trip to a nearby grocery store. Challenge each other to choose a pungent food for the other person to try. Enjoy exploring the fragrant side of cuisine!
Sources of Wonder
- https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/01/31/382899024/surstr-mming-revisited-eating-swedens-famously-stinky-fish
- https://www.thelocal.se/20170816/surstrmming-what-you-need-to-know-before-trying-swedens-fermented-herring
- http://www.swedishfood.com/fermented-herring
FAQ
1. What is the worst smell you can imagine?
The worst smell that I can imagine is the smell of rotting garbage. It is a combination of putrid and rancid odors that can make you feel nauseous. The stench of decomposing food, mixed with all the other waste materials, is truly unbearable. It lingers in the air and can invade your nostrils, making it difficult to breathe. The smell is not only unpleasant but also a breeding ground for bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.
2. Have you ever encountered a smell that made you feel sick?
Yes, I have encountered a smell that made me feel sick. It was the smell of a dead animal that had been decaying for several days. The odor was overpowering and made me want to vomit. The combination of rotting flesh and bodily fluids was extremely unpleasant and something I hope to never experience again. It served as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation.
3. Is there a particular smell that you find unbearable?
Yes, there is a particular smell that I find unbearable. It is the smell of a public restroom that has not been cleaned for a long time. The mixture of urine, feces, and the strong scent of cleaning chemicals is enough to make anyone feel disgusted. The lack of proper ventilation only intensifies the odor, making it difficult to spend more than a few seconds in such an environment. It is a reminder of the importance of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in shared spaces.
4. How does the worst smell you can imagine affect your mood?
The worst smell I can imagine affects my mood negatively. It brings feelings of disgust, discomfort, and can even make me feel sick. The foul odor has the power to ruin my appetite and make me lose interest in my surroundings. It becomes difficult to focus on anything else when confronted with such an unpleasant smell. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in order to prevent the spread of diseases and maintain a pleasant environment.
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