Rediscovering Flavor: A Culinary Journey with Anosmia

Check out our #DeliciousForAll Culinary Challenge to join the World Taste & Smell Association's exploration into this wonderous realm.

In this fascinating CNN article, dive into the world of Joke Boon, a Dutch cookbook writer with anosmia who lost her sense of smell at age four. Despite her condition, Boon has authored five cookbooks, exploring how to experience food beyond traditional senses. She harnesses the trigeminal nerve — responsible for facial sensory perception — to 'taste' her food through sensations like ginger's warmth and mint's coolness. 

Boon emphasizes the importance of color, texture, and sound in food, changing the culinary game for those with anosmia. Her journey is not just about adapting to life without smell and taste but creatively thriving within it, offering a stimulating perspective on how we experience food. 

For a taste of Boon's innovative culinary approach, check out her recipe for a Vegetarian Satay Burger, which combines rich flavors and contrasting textures, proving that cooking can be a vibrant and fulfilling adventure even without traditional taste.

Read the full article here and check out our #DeliciousForAll Culinary Challenge to join the World Taste & Smell Association's exploration following a similar approach and principles.