Science Proves There Are Only 10 Actual Smells We Can Sense

So here's an interesting fact for you: Did you that human taste buds can only pick up 5 different taste (Salty, Sour, Bitter, Sweet, and Savory)?

Did you also know that our noses can only smell 10 scents? A recent study breaks down the 10 groups that we smell on a regular basis.

Bates College conducted the study used mathematics to describe the odors we smell, breaking them down to just 10 group pairings of aroma.

• Fragrant
• Woody
• Fruity (non-citrus)
• Chemical
• Minty/peppermint
• Sweet
• Popcorn 
• Lemon
• Pungent
• Decayed

When looking at that list it's interesting to see that Popcorn is it's own group; but then again how else do you describe the smell of freshly popped Popcorn? That same can also be said for Lemon.

Pungent can be best used to describe that smelly person you passed in the store the other day. Decayed sums up all things horrible smelling including the bathroom after a greasy dinner (Taco Bell or Chipolata anyone?)

[Live Science]