One of the basic rules of taste testing
is that testers shouldn’t wear perfumes or any other scent.
Why?
Because people can only detect 5 taste sensations
(sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami)
through their tongues.
All other “tastes” are due to smell.
A bad smell will make a product taste bad.
A floral scented room will give a wine a floral taste.
And since smell is so important,
testers have to be able to smell the product itself
(even in soft drinks,
smell is a factor in the purchase decision).