The myth of the “Yuma scent” led a Cuban woman in Uruguay to post a video on social media last Friday, explaining what it is and, most importantly, what causes it. Malia Llovet (@maliallovetg) explained on TikTok that the so-called “Yuma scent” is the smell that reminds Cubans of a relative who comes from abroad to visit and has that specific odor.
“After years and years of research, asking all my relatives, my friends, everyone, I came to the conclusion that this is the famous ‘Yuma scent,’” the young woman stated while showing some laundry products.
“The ‘Yuma scent’ exists, and it is this,” said the Cuban, holding several bottles of fabric softener.
Exploring the Yuma Scent Further
However, the tiktoker emphasized that not all scents are the same, and according to her, some are more reminiscent of the aroma that evokes the relative who arrived from the United States to Cuba.
“I kept investigating,” she said, considering that her initial findings were insufficient. “And I found these little balls that you put in the drum of the washing machine. This seems to enhance the scent even more.”
Finally, the Cuban shared a final tip: dry your clothes in a dryer, not under the sun, to make the scent “a scandal. Not even Issey Miyake (perfume) dared to go that far.”
The young woman shared another video where she confessed to overdoing the “Yuma scent.”
“It seems that in the last wash I went overboard with the fabric softener; not even the most ‘Yuma’ aunt who came to visit you in Cuba when you were a child, smelled more like ‘Yuma’ than I did today.”
She explained that she spent a long time in a car and was forced to open the window because it was too much.
“I love it when people tell me ‘you smell so good,’ but I overdid it,” she remarked.
This isn’t the only Cuban intrigued by the famous scent.
Last May, another Cuban, this time residing in the U.S., claimed that the Yuma scent doesn’t exist or isn’t noticeable. “Of course, the people who came to Cuba, I saw them as white, and here I see them as normal. Of course, you come across some people who look unkempt, but the point is that on social media from Cuba, they seem like princesses out of a fairy tale,” said Lisandra (@lis_blonde) in a video shared on TikTok.
Understanding the Yuma Scent Phenomenon
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the intriguing "Yuma scent" that has puzzled many Cubans:
What is the "Yuma scent"?
The "Yuma scent" is a term used by Cubans to describe a specific smell that reminds them of relatives who visit from abroad, particularly from the United States.
What products did Malia Llovet identify as causing the "Yuma scent"?
Malia Llovet identified fabric softeners and scented laundry balls as the primary products responsible for the "Yuma scent."
Is there a way to enhance the "Yuma scent" further?
According to Malia, using scented laundry balls in the washing machine and drying clothes in a dryer rather than under the sun can enhance the "Yuma scent."