why are some foods like coffee or fried onions easier to smell?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

They are considered 'aromatic'.

ar·o·mat·ic
1. Having an aroma; fragrant: such as: aromatic herbs.
2. Chemistry. Of, relating to, or containing one or more six-carbon rings characteristic of the benzene series and related organic groups.

Many foods contain more volatile compounds that are released into the air by cutting, heating, crushing, etc.

Smash an onion for a real-life demonstration of this effect. Try the same thing with a hot dog. Not so much excitement, huh?

If you want the heavy stuff, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aromaticity

It'll tell you all you ever wanted to know about the subject!

Best wishes!

Because they have a higher amounts of volatile substances, the substances that are fragrant (or smelly depending on individual perception). Heating (as in cooking), cutting, crushing, grinding, all release those molecules into the air.

Mm... Here you are. http://y101.info/126565/fried-onions

http://y101.info/126565/fried-onions