During the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020, the candle industry soared to a little over 7 million dollars, and is expected to reach 10 million by 2028; it seems everyone wants a calming, relaxing aroma to fill their homes these days. With the candle boom comes innovative new candle scents, such as the tomato candle.
Candle scents are usually marketed by season, such as pumpkin for autumn, vanilla or cinnamon for winter, and ocean scents for summer. A tomato candle may seem odd, but it's perfect for summer months, evoking the feeling of picking a tomato fresh off the vine, and the lingering scent on your hands — tomatoes are one of the most popular plants to grow at home.
Nostalgic memories of scents come from a part of our brain called the amygdala-hippocampal complex, says cognitive neurologist Rachel Herz. Herz says, “Your specific personal history is what’s going to elicit a particular emotion or memory,” so if you grew tomatoes as a kid or still do it now, a tomato candle might be perfect for you.