Seamus Hammond
Attar, also known as ittar, is a natural, alcohol-free, and chemical-free perfume derived from fresh botanicals. The word 'attar' is believed to have been derived from the Persian word 'itir'. The traditional methods of making attar are still being used in Kannauj, India's Perfume Capital. The process is passed down from generation to generation and involves steam distillation. Flowers and other fragrant materials are placed in a copper still called a Deg, and steam is passed through them. The steam extracts the essential oils from the flowers, and these oils are collected in a receiving vessel called a Bhapka. The process is time-consuming and requires careful attention to detail, but it results in a high-quality attar with a complex and long-lasting fragrance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name origin | Persian word "itir" |
| Definition | Essential oil derived from botanical or natural sources |
| Extraction methods | Hydrodistillation, steam distillation, chemical expression |
| Base | Wood base, e.g. sandalwood |
| Aging period | 1-10 years |
| Ingredients | Flowers, herbs, spices, baked soil, plant fragrances, musk, rose, camphor, saffron, citrus |
| Equipment | Copper still (Deg), receiver (Bhapka), furnace (Bhatti), cooling water tank (Gachchi), leather bottle (Kuppi) |
| Production location | Kannauj, India |
| Benefits | Alcohol-free, chemical-free, suitable for sensitive skin, long-lasting |
| Classification | 'Warm' or 'cool' depending on perceived effect on the body |
| Uses | Perfume, incense, food offerings, medicinal purposes, aphrodisiacal purposes |
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What You'll Learn
Attar is derived from botanical or natural sources
Attar, also known as ittar, is an essential oil derived from botanical or natural sources. The word 'attar' is believed to have been derived from the Persian word 'itir'. The Persian physician Ibn Sina was the first to derive attar from flowers using distillation. The process of distillation was later refined and developed by al-Shaykh al-Rais, a renowned physician who made a distinctive type of aromatic product.
Attar is made through a natural process of hydrodistillation or steam distillation. The oils are generally distilled into a wood base such as sandalwood and then aged. The aging period can last from one to ten years, depending on the botanicals used and the desired outcome. The traditional equipment used in the distillation process includes a copper still called a Deg, a receiver called a Bhapka, a traditional Bhatti or furnace, a Gachchi or cooling water tank, and a Kuppi or leather bottle. Flowers and other fragrant materials are placed in the Deg, and steam is passed through them. The steam carries the essential oils from the flowers, and these oils are collected in the Bhapka.
The natural sources used to derive attar include flowers, plants, herbs, spices, and other natural materials such as baked soil. The specific natural sources vary depending on the type of attar being produced. For example, warm" attars such as musk, amber, and kesar (saffron) are derived from different sources than "cool" attars such as rose, jasmine, khus, kewra, and mogra. Attars are commonly used in incense and food offerings and are considered to attract angels and ward off evil spirits in some societies, mainly in Islamic cultural folk.
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Distillation methods are used to extract the oil
Distillation is an essential method in the perfume industry for extracting essential oils from aromatic plants. The history of distillation in perfumery dates back to ancient times, but the modern method was developed in the Middle Ages by Arab alchemists. The technique involves the use of a large steel vessel with serpentine pipes, known as an alembic, to heat the aromatic plants with steam. The steam is then condensed to produce a concentrated essential oil, which travels up the pipes. As the steam cools, condensation is created and collected, resulting in floral water.
The distillation process is used to extract fragrant oils from various raw materials, including flowers, leaves, and stems. It is particularly effective for fresh plant materials. During distillation, steam from boiling water is passed through the raw material for 60–105 minutes, driving out most of their volatile fragrant compounds. The condensate, containing both water and aromatics, is then settled in a Florentine flask, allowing for easy separation as the oil floats to the top and is removed. The remaining watery distillate, known as hydrosol, retains some fragrant compounds and is sometimes sold for consumer and commercial use. Popular hydrosols include rose water, lavender water, and orange blossom water.
The quality and fragrance of the essential oil obtained through distillation depend on various factors, such as the type of plant used, the distillation method, temperature, pressure, and distillation time. Perfumers utilise fractionation techniques to separate the different components of the essential oil, creating more complex fragrances. However, this technique has a low ratio, requiring a large amount of plant material to obtain a small quantity of essential oil. For example, it takes approximately one ton of roses to produce one kilo of essential oil.
Attars, a type of concentrated perfume oil, are traditionally made through the process of hydro-distillation or steam distillation. This method involves using a copper still called a "Deg" and a receiver called a "Bhapka." Flowers and other fragrant materials, such as sandalwood, musk, rose, camphor, and saffron, are placed in the Deg, and steam is passed through them to carry the essential oils, which are then collected in the Bhapka. This traditional process, still practised in Kannauj, India, is time-consuming and requires careful attention to detail. However, it results in a high-quality attar with a complex and long-lasting fragrance.
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Attar is distilled into a wood base
Attar is an essential oil derived from botanical or natural sources. It is commonly extracted through hydrodistillation or steam distillation. The process of distillation was first practised by the Persian physician Ibn Sina. However, the earliest recorded mention of the techniques used to produce essential oils is believed to be by Ibn al-Baitar, an Al-Andalusian physician, pharmacist, and chemist.
The oils are distilled into a wood base, such as sandalwood, and then aged. The aging period can last from one to ten years, depending on the botanicals used and the desired outcome. The traditional Indian method of distillation involves a copper still called a Deg, a receiver called a Bhapka, a traditional Bhatti or furnace, a Gachchi or cooling water tank, and a Kuppi or leather bottle. The flowers are processed immediately after they are picked. The flowers and other fragrant materials are placed in the Deg, and steam is passed through them. The steam then carries the essential oils from the flowers, and these oils are collected in the Bhapka.
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The aging period can last up to 10 years
The aging period for attar perfumes can last up to 10 years. During this time, the attar is typically distilled into a wood base such as sandalwood. This process is essential to developing the complex and long-lasting fragrance that attar perfumes are known for.
The length of the aging period depends on the botanicals used and the desired results. For example, attars made with sandalwood, a rare ingredient, tend to be more expensive. The aging process for these attars may be longer to ensure the highest quality and complexity of the fragrance.
The traditional methods of making attar have been passed down from generation to generation in Kannauj, India, which is known as the \"Perfume Capital of India.\" The process of creating attar involves distilling flowers and other fragrant materials using steam distillation. This technique has been used for hundreds of years and results in a high-quality, natural product.
Attar is an alcohol-free and chemical-free perfume derived from fresh botanicals such as flower petals, spices, herbs, and even barks. It is highly concentrated and is known for its enchanting and long-lasting fragrance. Applying just a small amount of attar to the wrists, neck, or behind the earlobes is enough to experience its magical scent throughout the day.
The process of making attar is a time-consuming one that requires careful attention to detail. However, the result is a natural, eco-friendly, and complex fragrance that has captivated people for centuries. The aging period of up to 10 years is a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of attar perfumers.
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Attar is considered more natural than perfume
Attar, also known as ittar, is an essential oil derived from botanical or other natural sources. The process of making attar has been passed down from generation to generation in India, particularly in Kannauj, known as the "Perfume Capital of India". The traditional method involves hydrodistillation or steam distillation, where flowers and other fragrant materials are placed in a copper still called a "Deg", and steam is passed through them. The steam carries the essential oils from the flowers, and these oils are collected in a receiving vessel called a "Bhapka". The oils are then generally distilled into a wood base such as sandalwood and aged for one to ten years. This natural process and the use of natural ingredients make attars more expensive than perfumes.
Attars are considered more natural than perfumes because they are made through a natural process of distillation, whereas perfumes can incorporate synthetic ingredients alongside natural ones. Attars capture the authentic scent of the source materials, resulting in a more natural and complex fragrance than synthetic perfumes. They are also free from alcohol and chemicals, making them gentler on the skin and suitable for people with sensitive skin who prefer to avoid synthetic fragrances.
In addition to their use as perfumes, attars are also used for medicinal and aphrodisiacal purposes. For example, in aromatherapy, only attars are used, with original mitti attar being a popular choice due to its pleasant and earthy smell. Attars have long been valued in Islamic and Hindu cultures for their ability to attract angels and ward off evil spirits, and they are commonly used in incense and food offerings.
While attars are considered more natural and have various health benefits, perfumes have a stronger initial fragrance blast and better scent projection due to the presence of alcohol. Perfumes are also more suitable for outdoor activities and parties, where one wants their presence to be announced. On the other hand, attars are preferred for formal settings and places of worship, where a more subtle fragrance is desired.
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Frequently asked questions
Attar, also known as ittar, is an essential oil derived from botanical or other natural sources. It is believed that the word 'attar' comes from the Persian word 'itir'.
Attars are made through a natural process of hydro-distillation or steam distillation. Flowers and other fragrant materials are placed in a copper still called a Deg, and steam is passed through them. The steam carries the essential oils from the flowers, and these oils are collected in a receiving vessel called a Bhapka. The oils are generally distilled into a wood base such as sandalwood and then aged for one to ten years.
Attars are derived from the petals of flowers, spices, herbs, or even barks. Specific plants used include roses, jasmine, sandalwood, musk, camphor, and saffron.
Attar is traditionally made in Kannauj, India, which is known as the "'Perfume Capital of India'. The art of attar-making is passed down from generation to generation in Kannauj and has recently seen a resurgence due to the pandemic.
Attars are commonly used as perfumes but also have medicinal and aphrodisiacal purposes. They are also used within incense and food offerings, particularly in Islamic and Hindu cultures.
