Tanning

Some of you may be groaning with the thought of more talk about vacation, but not to worry,that is not the kind of tanning I'm talking about today. Do you love the smell of leather? It is right up toward the top of my list of good smells which is odd considering the process to make the leather is far from pleasant smelling. Historically tanneries were situated well out of populated areas as the process involves urine to remove the hair and fat from the hides (I think most people know urine is used for making leather) then dog,cat or pigeon feces is mixed with water and worked either by hand or with the feet (kind of like stomping grapes for wine) into the leather which is what makes the finished product supple. Though there are modern versions of the tanning process which involve chemicals a leather aficionado prefers the old tried and true tanning method. So why does the finished product smell so good? No idea!