NYC Maple Syrup Stink Comes From New Jersey

by Max Shrem, Posted Feb 6th 2009 @ 6:00PM

Just yesterday, a NYC maple syrup mystery was solved. For several months now, there has been a mysterious smell over Manhattan that's been identified as maple syrup-like. Scientists in New Jersey and New York examined chemical registries, air samples, weather reports and 311 call logs. So what is the cause of this stink? Mayor Bloomberg states - New Jersey.

Frutarom factory in North Bergen is responsible for what the New York Times calls an "aromatic mystery". Mayor Bloombery assured reporters yesterday that the smell is harmless. The factory produces this smell on nights when it processes fenugreek seeds. To see what these seeds look like, check out AOL's coverage on the story. So, what's the deal with these seeds?

Fenugreek seeds are often used as a spice in Indian cuisine, in particular curry. Interestingly, in the U.S., fenugreek is often used as a flavor in industrial less expensive maple syrups. In the Middle East, it's used in many sweets. And, in Egypt, it's made into a tea and sold at coffee shops. For me, what began as an intriguing story over a syrup mystery has spurred an interest in discovering this aromatic spice and herb.

Filed Under: Newspapers, On the Blogs, Food News
Tags: maple syrup, MapleSyrup, mayor bloomberg, MayorBloomberg, odor, on the blogs, OnTheBlogs, smell, syrup

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-06-2009 @6:38PM Badger said... Fenugreek is also said to boost milk production in nursing mothers. I drank fenugreek tea for that reason when my son was a newborn and I smelled like maple syrup the entire time! It's pretty potent stuff!

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