I thought I had the flu. But on day 5 I opened a fresh bag of coffee beans and stuck my nose in. I couldn't smell it at all, it was as if the bag was empty. After a few moments wondering what the hell was wrong with my coffee I did a RAT test and found a very, very faint positive.

I started wondering if it knocks out your smell completely, or if it's somehow selective, and could this be used as some kind of proxy diagnostic tool? Anyway, after going through the kitchen draw, this is what I can and can't smell:

Can't

• Coffee beans...gone!
• Bay leaves...faintly

Can (but weak)

• Rosemary
• Cardamon
• Cloves
• Smoked paprika
• Curry powder

Normal?

• Thyme
• Cumin

So there's some useless information for you that maybe one day someone somewhere will find a use for.