Two years on from the start of the pandemic, loss of smell and flavour is still one of the most talked-about long-term symptoms of Covid-19. According to a new study by recipe box Gousto, this has resulted in a sizeable shift in the nation’s relationship with cooking and food.
The research of 2,000 Covid-19 sufferers, discovered that a huge 71% lost their senses of smell and taste and 57% say that this has taken the joy out of food for them.
In a bid to help the nation rediscover the joy of mealtimes, Gousto and smell loss experts AbScent have combined forces to create a limited-edition ’Flavour Saviour’ kit. The kit has been designed to help the nation fall back in love with food by stimulating the smell receptors that can unlock flavour.
Robbed of some of life’s most comforting flavours, one in five (21%) no longer eat their favourite foods, whilst nearly 17% were left unable to smell their cup of morning coffee or taste their favourite chocolate. For a further one in five (20%), their sense of taste is still yet to return - a bitter pill to swallow.
Given we’re a nation of food lovers, it’s no surprise that nearly a quarter (23%) were left feeling stressed at the prospect of never fully tasting their favourite meal again, with others left feeling isolated and depressed. Remarkably for some, missing out is not just in the figurative sense, with a number reporting that they are now eating (11%) and cooking (10%) less as a result.
Brits are willing to try anything to tantalise their taste-buds. Over 33% of those who had Covid admitted to eating burnt orange, garlic cloves and gargling salt water to try and regain their sense of taste. A more practical 43% dialled up their cooking with strong flavours and extra spice - such as adding more chillis - hoping this would help them taste fully again.
With smell intrinsically linked to the way in which we enjoy food’s rich flavours, one strategy that many people (61%) admit to having overlooked is smell training (or olfactory training) which has the potential to enhance, and even recover, sense of smell and thus the experience of flavour.
The limited-edition ‘Flavour Saviour’ kits will enable the nation to start their smell training journey, alongside a flavour pack of ingredients hand-picked to stimulate the five basic tastes that are perceived by our taste buds: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami, to enhance the training experience.
The kits are free from flavour-saviour.co.uk, where recipe inspiration, smell training and additional resources can also be found for everyone, regardless of their recovery journey. Gousto created the website in response to the 24% with smell and taste disorders who are looking for recipe inspiration to help cook meals they can taste.
Comedian and Gousto ambassador Katherine Ryan is putting the ‘Flavour Saviour’ kit to the test, having lost her sense of smell last year from Covid, which affected how she tasted some of her favourite foods. She said: “At first I was in denial about losing my sense of smell; it was only when my husband Bobby K was cooking at home that I realised I couldn’t smell the garlic or the onions frying. I remember feeling a bit helpless at the time… What I love about Gousto’s Flavour Saviour kits is that they are a great way for me to feel proactive in starting the journey to rediscovering the senses.”
Chrissi Kelly, founder of AbScent, says: “The pandemic has brought a new-found awareness and sensitivity to those suffering with smell disorders. So many people tell us they feel frightened or isolated, but they're not alone; pre-pandemic approximately 3.3m people in the UK - 5% - were affected by smell loss. Now, over one million additional people in the UK will have suffered with more persistent smell loss due to Covid. By teaming up with Gousto, our hope is that more people will consider smell training to support their recovery, and know that there is support for those who need it."
Participants will also receive recipe recommendations from Gousto that compliment their journey to rediscovering flavour. Over half (53%) of Brits that had Covid reported that they’ve been more adventurous with what they eat since their taste came back, and Gousto is perfectly placed to provide exciting new dishes, with more than 60 different recipes on its menu each week.
For the chance to get a free limited-edition Flavour Saviour kit, visit flavour-saviour.co.uk. Those who miss out on a kit can still access the full range recipe tips, recommendations and olfactory training resources and research on the site.
