The USPS Is Releasing Scratch-N-Sniff Stamps that Smell Like Popsicles

Jelisa Castrodale
Jelisa Castrodale
Jelisa is a freelance writer who has covered food and travel, sports and pop culture for numerous publications. When she's not on deadline, she enjoys getting new passport stamps, collecting records and shouting at her beloved Liverpool Football Club.
published May 23, 2018
pinterest
comments
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
(Image credit: Samantha Gatesman)

Last spring the U.S. Postal Service decided to print a series of food-related stamps, and it opted to honor some traditional Mexican, Central and South American, and Caribbean meals that had found their way onto American dinner tables. The Delicioso series featured “bright and playful illustrations” — to use the USPS’ words — of ceviche, chile rellenos, empanadas, flan, sancocho, and tamales. They’re legit awesome.

This year, the USPS is taking its stamp game to a new (and slightly weird) level by releasing its first-ever scratch-and-sniff postage stamps. Each stamp in the scented Frozen Treats series features one of 10 brightly colored illustrations of, uh, frozen treats, including fruit pops, popsicles, and what looks like an uncharacteristically pastel Bomb Pop.

Although the exact scents haven’t been revealed, the Postal Service promises that each stamp “will add the sweet scent of summer to letters of love, friendship, party invitations, and other mailings.” Well, cool. Now you can add a slightly fruity tang when you’re paying the bill for your last urinary tract infection.

“Ice pops are made by large manufacturers, home cooks and artisanal shops,” the USPS explained in a statement. “In recent years, frozen treats containing fresh fruit such as kiwi, watermelon, blueberries, oranges and strawberries have become more common. In addition, flavors such as chocolate, root beer and cola are also popular. Some frozen treats even have two sticks, making them perfect for sharing.”

Um, why does this sound like the Postal Service just discovered its neighborhood ice cream truck? Yes, fruit pops have been a thing “in recent years,” like the years encompassing OUR ENTIRE LIVES.

The stamps are adorable, though, largely because of Margaret Berg‘s illustrations. Even if you’re not familiar with her name, you’ve probably seen some of her previous work on packages for Marks & Spencer teabags, Godiva chocolate, Wonder + Well flavored water, Hallmark, American Greetings, and even the cover of a book called Basic Organic Gardening.

The USPS plans to release the Frozen Treats stamps on June 20, and each booklet of stamps costs $10. I admittedly had no idea it costs fifty cents to mail a letter — and I’m totally curious if the scratch-and-sniff scent will last for the, like, three decades it’ll take me to use 20 stamps.