What does summer smell like?

One thing is certain:

Summer smells stronger and more intense than other seasons, and the air is full of fragrant experiences. This is due, on the one hand, to the high temperatures, which also improve blood flow to the nose with its millions of olfactory cells, and, on the other, to the metabolic activities of plants and microorganisms, which produce many odor-active substances during their summer ripening period.

When it's warm, the scent molecules open up much more easily and release significantly more scents into the environment. The earth, trees, flowers, and grasses then smell much stronger, but even dog poop smells worse in summer than in the colder seasons.

Summer is when you smell the rain.

During summer rain, scents—assuming they are water-soluble—are washed out of the plants and flowers and reach our noses via the increased humidity. Another portion reaches us in gaseous form when the fine droplets evaporate from the hot asphalt. When rain falls to earth during a long dry period, the typical "rain smell" is created, which is also known in technical terms as "petrichor." The word comes from ancient Greek and is composed of petros (stone) and ichor (blood of the gods).

Especially after a summer thunderstorm, you also notice the smell of ozone, which disperses into the air immediately afterwards. The lightning discharges in the atmosphere cause the oxygen in the air to convert into ozone, a form of the chemical element oxygen. The name ozone also comes from Greek and means "that which smells," and the air then usually smells fresher and clearer.

The distinctive smell shortly after a thunderstorm is related to the formation of a specific gas: ozone. Its name comes from the Greek and means "that which smells." Ozone is a form of the chemical element oxygen.

How summer smells for each individual depends on their memories and the environment in which they live or vacation.

Summer smells of a thousand childhood memories, of good moods, of vacations and holidays, of bicycles, convertibles, and motorcycles, of staying out late in the evenings, of grilled sausages and camping outdoors, of sunsets in the mountains or by the sea.

But summer doesn't have the same scent everywhere.

Summer in the City

Summer in the city smells more like dust, car exhaust, or hot asphalt. But even in the city, summer has its olfactory charms. Imagine: You're sitting at a sidewalk café, watching the people passing by, the young women in their short skirts and airy summer blouses, their light, fresh floral perfume caressing your nose, the waitress brings you a fragrant espresso, and at the next table, there's a large vanilla fruit ice cream sundae. A light summer breeze blows the scent of fries with ketchup, doner kebabs, and currywurst to your table.

Summer in the Countryside

In the countryside, on the other hand, nature often smells of warm earth, of stables and cow dung, of sweet fruits, grass and hay, of flowers and herbs like roses and lavender. The forest air smells even more earthy, slightly musty, and the scent of resin also lingers.

Summer by the Sea

The smell by the sea is an incomparable blend of piña colada, pistachio ice cream, corn on the cob, suntan lotion, sweat, and salty sea air!

Seaweed with mussels and jellyfish rotting in the midday sun.

Summer at the Outdoor Pool

The scent of chlorine, sunscreen, fries with ketchup, mowed grass, dry wood, blossoms, fresh paint, and sometimes, in the changing rooms, a hint of sweat.

Summer in the Mountains

The scent of a colorful mountain meadow full of flowering grasses, freshly mown grass and hay, of fresh, clean air. But also of hiking socks that have already covered at least 20 km in 25.0 degrees Celsius in the shade.

Summer in the South

In the south, the scent of summer can be perceived differently. It smells sweetly of grapes and peaches, delicately and seductively of jasmine and lavender. Added to this are the many Mediterranean herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and nutmeg, as well as fresh, juicy citrus scents of lemon, lime, and orange. They all lend the hot summer air a unique bouquet, creating an unforgettable fragrance experience.