Source of Manhattan Maple Syrup Smell Revealed!
Mayor Bloomberg says sleuths from agencies in the city and New Jersey have identified the source of the mysterious maple syrup smell that would pop up from time to time, usually on the Upper West Side. The source: a facility in Hudson County that has processed foenugreek seeds to produce flavors and fragrances that resulted in esters being formed in the air. According to Meriam-Webster, a foenugreek seed is 'a leguminous annual Asian herb (Trigonella foenumgraecum) with aromatic seeds used in making curry, imitation vanilla flavoring, and some veterinary medicines.'
The smell would only reach Manhattan on days when the wind was blowing West to East and just fast enough to blow the smell across the Hudson, but not fast enough to blow it right past the city.
The mayor declares the case closed and says the smell was never a danger, but the city investigated because you can never be too sure.
The mayor thanked a bevy of investigators, but said the real hero is his beloved 311 hotline. He says without the calls from New Yorkers they might not have cracked the case.
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