doft

Doft is a Swedish noun that refers to the smell, scent, or fragrance of a substance. It can describe a pleasant aroma, such as the doft of flowers or coffee, as well as less agreeable odors. In everyday Swedish, doft is used to talk about how something smells and may be qualified by intensity or quality (for example, a strong doft, a delicate doft). The concept is central to perception of the environment and to practical tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and choosing fragrances.

Scientifically, doft arises from volatile molecules called odorants that interact with receptors in the nasal cavity. When inhaled, these molecules trigger signals that are processed by the brain to produce the perception of smell. Doft perception is influenced by concentration, temperature, humidity, and individual sensitivity, and it can be shaped by prior experiences and expectations.

Doft is also important in perfumery and flavor science. In perfumery, the term doftnoter describes components categorized as top, heart, and base notes that combine to form a fragrance profile. In everyday language, personal associations and cultural context color how a given doft is perceived. Etymologically, doft is cognate with Danish duft and Norwegian duft, all tracing to a common Germanic root for aroma or odor.