Japanese Wagyu beef has a sweet, coconut-like aroma. Scientists found 16 compounds associated with the smell, 10 of which are newly associated with the meat. Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images The Salt What Makes Wagyu Beef Smell So Good? Science Explains November 13, 2017 The Japanese beef is considered a luxury, with plenty of fat and its super-soft texture. New evidence could explain what's behind its sweet smell.