Paying with Sound, Tasting with Scent: The Secret to a Perfect Cup of Tea

Long ago, in a city, there were two men lived side by side. One was a penniless cobbler. The other is a greedy fishmonger.

The fishmonger was an excellent cook. From morning until night, he prepared fish, skewering them on bamboo and grilling them to perfection. His grilled fish, marinated in soy sauce and a splash of vinegar, smelled absolutely divine. However, he was notoriously stingy and never offered a morsel to anyone without strict payment.

Photo by Clint Bustrillos on Unsplash

The poor cobbler lived next door. The rich savoury grilled fish aroma  wafted everrywhere he went making him constantly hungry. He loved the thought of eating the delicious fish but had no money to buy it. So, the cobbler found a clever solution. Every lunchtime, he brought his plain, dry bread to the fishmonger's shop. He sat by the grill, chatting away while inhaling deeply. The rich, savoury aroma of the grilled fish mixed with his simple bread, making every bite taste like a luxurious feast.

Did it work?

Sure, it did.
When he inhaled grilled smell while chewing the bread, his brain received the taste from the tongue and the complex grilled smell. The brain fused them together. This phenomenon is called flavour. 

After several days, the greedy fishmonger realised what was happening. Furious, he handed the cobbler a bill, demanding payment for the smells the cobbler had consumed.

The cobbler did not argue. He calmly took two copper coins from his pocket, placed them in a ceramic cup, covered the top with his hand, and shook it vigorously. The coins clinked and jingled loudly.

He placed the cup down and smiled. "Did you hear the sound of the coins clearly? We are even now."

The fishmonger was baffled. "How are we even? When did you pay me?"

The cobbler replied smoothly, "I just paid you. The sound of my copper coins pays for the smell of your grilled fish." The fishmonger, realising he had been outsmarted, walked away in defeat.

The Science of Scent and Taste

This is a delightful and clever folk tale, but there is a profound scientific truth hidden perfectly within it. The cobbler was not simply imagining his grand feast. Scientifically speaking, you can only taste food properly if you can smell it properly.

When we eat or drink, the aromas travel up through the back of our throat into our nasal cavity. Our tongues can only detect basic tastes like sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. The rich, nuanced flavours we experience actually come entirely from our sense of smell. Without the olfactory system, an apple and a raw potato would taste remarkably similar. The aroma of the grilled fish physically altered how the cobbler experienced his plain bread.

What Does This Have to Do with Agarwood?

This sensory phenomenon perfectly explains a tradition that many people might find unconventional: burning agarwood incense while drinking tea.

A good cup of tea is a pleasure on its own. However, when you introduce the deep, complex scent of agarwood into the room, something magical happens. Just as the cobbler used a rich aroma to elevate a simple meal, you can use the fragrance of agarwood to transform your daily tea ritual.

When you light a piece of agarwood, its woody, sweet, and earthy notes mix seamlessly with the steam of your tea. As you take a sip, the ambient scent of the agarwood prepares your palate. It layers the flavours in the air before the liquid even touches your tongue, effectively enhancing the flavour profile of the tea. A delicate green tea becomes more grounded, while a dark pu-erh tea becomes richer and more profound.

At Grandawood, we understand that true appreciation of nature comes from engaging all of your senses. The next time you prepare a pot of your favourite tea, do not just drink it plainly. Light a stick of high quality agarwood incense, take a slow breath, and notice how the fragrance changes the taste in your cup.

It is an exquisite way to break the boredom of a routine afternoon and turn it into a moment of pure indulgence. And you can rest assured: we will not ask you to pay with the sound of shaking coins :).