Odor attributes change in relation to the time of the year. Cinnamon odor is more familiar and pleasant during Christmas season than summertime

Aim of the present study was to examine whether odor attributes like pleasantness and familiarity change in relation to the time of the year. In the first part of the study a total Of 100 Subjects answered to questions without odor presentation whether a certain odor was more related to summertime or Christmas season. Another 41 and 51 subjects rated the familiarity and hedonicity of 12 odors either during summertime or Christmas season, respectively. Importantly, this investigation was performed at the same place within a science museum during stable environmental conditions. Subjects reported that rose odor was more related to summertime, whereas orange, cinnamon, and cloves were more associated with Christmas season with cinnamon being most intimately connected to this time of the year. Moreover, subjects showed significantly higher familiarity and pleasantness ratings when they smelled cinnamon during the Christmas season than during summertime. Taken together, this study demonstrated that attributes of some odors change throughout the year. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.