To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

The smell of maple syrup on a waffle? Not a problem. But when New Yorkers began noticing that same smell wafting through parts of the city, no one knew quite how to explain it, until Thursday that is.

"We have solved the mystery of the strange maple syrup-like odor that has been wafting through parts of our city during the past few years," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

After years of being outwitted by a sugary smell, the city came up with a rapid response plan to track the scent.

When Upper West Siders began reporting last week that the sweet fragrance was back, air inspectors raced to the scene to collect the evidence.

Officials then examined the wind and weather patterns to determine the path of the scent -- but they didn't have to look too far.

The maple syrup smell was traced to a flavor and fragrance factory in North Bergen, New Jersey, which uses fenugreek seeds to produce food additives.

Bloomberg says the New Jersey plant operated by Frutarom doesn't appear to be violating any laws. He emphasized that the scent is not harmful.

The company issued a statement saying, "The naming of our company as one of those potentially contributing to this condition came as a surprise to us. Fenugreek is a natural product that has been produced here for over 30 years in compliance with all laws and regulations."

The City Hall announcement was a lighthearted one to say the least.

"I never smelled it, but I do, for the record, like maple sugar syrup on my French toast," said Bloomberg.

It was clear the maple mystery was treated as much more than a laughing matter, given the level of thought that went into the response plan.

"We also started having air inspectors for the deputy commissioner bring air canisters home with them so they didn't need to go to the office. They didn't need to go to a DEP facility to be armed and ready to respond," said Eugene Berardi, the mayor's Emergency Public Communications Manager.

Just because the city now knows the source of the smell, doesn't mean they can contain it. But next time New Yorkers smell some maple syrup in the air, at least they'll know where its coming from.