Bloomberg solves the case of the mystery maple syrup smell

February 5, 12:07 PMNY Pop Culture ExaminerAllison Ford

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Yummy Vermont goodness

Sorry conspiracy theorists, but Mayor Bloomberg and his crack team of smell-vestigators have solved the mystery of that maple syrup smell that occasionally envelops Manhattan, and even held a press conference today to announce the results.  

And it's not a biological weapon, which may make you unhappy.  But this will cheer you up...it's all New Jersey's fault. 

Bloomberg's team "put their noses to the ground" and, using CSI-worthy investigative techniques, identified the source of the smell as a plant in Bergen County which processes fenugreek seeds for food seasonings. 

Fenugreek is used in artificial maple, vanilla, and caramel flavors, which is what made Manhattanites crave pancakes on the days that the smell wafted over.  It's been happening occasionally since 2005, most recently in January of this year.  The smell had become such an expected part of New York life that even 30 Rock parodied it.  

Another mystery solved by our hero-Mayor.  Bloomberg said, "We're officially closing the case."