Vikings were a culture and people who lived in Scandinavia during the 9th to 13th centuries. They are known for their seafaring skills, their large Viking ships, and their raids on other countries.
One of the things they are most famous for is their smell – they smelled like Vikings. The smells they used to make themselves smell good included lavender oil.

Source: Sverigesradio
What Did Vikings Smell Like
What did Vikings smell like?Brettanomyces, horsehair, wheat, and fish all contribute to the unique and pungent scent of Viking culture. These ingredients were used in order to create an odor that would keep away enemies and attract potential partners during raids or battles.
Brettanomyces
Brettanomyces is a yeast that can cause an unpleasant smell in beer and wine. It’s also responsible for the “barnyard” smell you sometimes experience when you open a bottle of bourbon or whiskey.
- Brettanomyces is a type of yeast that can produce an unpleasant smell in beer and wine. This fungus is commonly found in oak barrels, which are used to store these alcoholic beverages.
- The smell of Brettanomyces can develop after the yeast has been exposed to air for a long period of time, which can be caused by storage conditions or contact with other ingredients.
- Some people find the smell of Brettanomyces to be quite pleasing, while others find it offensive. It is up to each individual to decide whether they want to drink a beer or wine that has been fermented with this fungus.
- There are a number of ways to remove the Brettanomyces from your wines and beers, including aeration (a process where the air is added), primary fermentation with yeast, and cold storage.
- If you experience an unpleasant taste or smell when drinking your wine or beer, it may be because of Brettanomyces contamination. In this case, it is best to consult with a professional brewer or winemaker who can help you clean your drinks and rid them of this unwanted fungus.
Horsehair
Vikings probably smelled a lot like horses. The animals were used for transportation, food and clothing, so they would have been all over the Vikings’ land. Not only did the Vikings ride on horseback, but they also ate horsemeat and used horsehair in their crafts.
- Vikings used horsehair to keep their hair clean, soft, and healthy. Horsehair was also a popular type of hairbrush in the Viking era.
- Horsehair is made up of bundles of hair that are twisted together. This makes it a good choice for cleaning and styling hair because it can easily remove dirt, oils, and other residues from the scalp.
- Horses have long hair, so they’re perfect for harvesting horsehair. The hairs on a horse’s head are thick and durable, which means they can be processed into a variety of products including brushes, combs, and even ropes.
- Vikings used horsehair to make soap, shampoo, lotions, and other cosmetics. It was also used as an adhesive for fabric repairs and as stuffing for mattresses and pillows.
- Today, horsehair is still used in a number of different ways including as natural beauty products and as animal bedding materials
Wheat
The Vikings were a group of people who lived in Scandinavia in the 10th to 12th centuries. They were very interested in food and drink, and some of their favorite foods included wheat. Wheat was a very important part of their diets, and it likely gave them the strong smell that is now associated with Vikings.
Vikings Were A Grain-Eating People
Wheat was an important part of the diet for the Vikings. They ate wheat flour to help them stay strong and healthy. Wheat was also used in their religious ceremonies.
Wheat Was Highly Precious
Wheat was highly prized by the Viking people because it was very nutritious. It is a good source of fiber, protein, and vitamins.
The Vikings Used Threshing Machines To Get The Wheat Out Of The Fields
The Viking people used threshing machines to get the wheat out of the fields. This machine helped them remove the straw, chaff, and other debris from the wheat crop.
Vikings Used Boats To Transport Their Wheat Products To The Markets
Vikings used boats to transport their wheat products to the markets. They would load up their boats with wheat flour, bread, ale, and other food items and take them to different parts of Europe.
There Are Many Types Of Wheat Used In Viking Times
There are many types of wheat that were used in Viking times. These include durum wheat, einkorn wheat, emmer wheat, faroese wheats etc..
Fish
Fish have a distinctive smell, one that Vikings likely would have enjoyed. The smell of fish is not as strong when cooked, but it does have a unique odor. When cooking fish, you can add herbs and spices to give it a different smell.
You can also smoke or grill fish to add an extra layer of flavor. There are many types of fish that you can cook, so be sure to experiment with different smells and recipes!
The Scents Of Viking Times
The Vikings were a group of warriors who lived in Scandinavia during the 10th century. They are famous for their raids on other countries, as well as their trade and exploration. One of the things they would have smelled like was wood smoke, salt air and horses.
The Vikings Were Crazy About Scented Oils
Viking warriors were known for their use of scented oils, which they used to enhance their fighting abilities and to make themselves smell nice. These oils were made from a variety of sources including flowers, leaves, trees, and herbs.
They Used Spices To Make Their Odors Last
A number of spices were also used in Viking times to add flavor and aroma to their food and clothing. These spices included ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg.
They Kept Their Beds Smelling Nice Too
To keep the scent of their bodies from spreading throughout the ship, the Vikings would take baths in fragrant herbs and perfumes.
They Loved The Smell Of Smoke In The Air
The smoke from burning wood was another important scent in Viking times. Not only did it add flavor to the air, but it was also thought to protect people from evil spirits.
They Weren’t Afraid To Wear A Little Fragrance
To make themselves smell even nicer, some Viking warriors would dab a little perfume on their wrists or necks before going into battle or going out on a date with someone they liked.
Viking Personal Care Products
The Vikings were a fierce people who traveled across Europe and North America in the 9th through 11th centuries. They left behind a rich culture and many interesting artifacts, including personal care products.
One of the things that archaeologists have found is that the Vikings used perfumes and oils to make themselves smell nice. They used these things to make themselves smell like flowers or spices, which helped them attract mates or intimidate their enemies.
Viking Fragrance
One of the most popular and well-known Viking personal care products is their fragrance line. Vikings were known for their love of scents, so it only makes sense that they would create a range of fragrances that everyone could enjoy.
Viking Sunscreen
Another product from the Viking personal care line is their sunscreen. This formulation helps to protect you from harmful UV rays while you are out enjoying your day.
Viking Soap
The soap line from Viking is also very popular and well-known. Not only does this soap offer great cleansing properties, but it also has a unique scent that many people love.
To Recap
There is no definite answer to this question, as Viking smells varied depending on where they were and what they were doing. However, one popular theory is that Vikings smelled of spices and herbs, similar to the smell of a modern day kitchen.
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