Fun Fact #7: Coffee Beans Don’t Actually Reset Your Nose

Introduction

You’ve probably seen them in perfume shops — little jars of coffee beans meant to “reset” your nose between testing different fragrances. But here’s the truth: coffee beans don’t really cleanse your sense of smell.

Why Coffee Beans Don’t Work

Coffee itself has a very strong, complex scent. Instead of neutralising the fragrances you’ve smelled, it simply adds another intense aroma into the mix. This can actually confuse your nose further, rather than refreshing it.

The Science of Olfactory Resetting

Your nose doesn’t need coffee to recover — it just needs a neutral break. The best way to reset is to:

• Smell something neutral, like your own skin or clothes (in an unscented area)

• Step outside for some fresh air

• Simply take a few minutes without smelling anything

Why Perfume Counters Use Coffee Beans

Coffee beans have become more of a tradition or marketing tool than a real solution. They give customers the feeling of a reset — even if the science doesn’t back it up.

Better Alternatives When Testing Perfumes

• Use blotters, but don’t smell too many in a row

• Smell your sleeve or inside of your elbow to neutralise

• Limit yourself to 3–4 perfumes per session before taking a break

Final Thought

Next time you’re perfume shopping, skip the coffee beans and trust the simplest reset of all — your own skin and a bit of fresh air.