ittarstore
By IttarStore 04/07/2022
Traditionally, steam distillation has been used to extract the essence of flowers, herbs, spices, and woods. At the other end of the distillation process, this essence is often absorbed into the base oils of either sandalwood or any other preferred carrier oil. It is common to refer to this mixture as a "attar" or "itr."
Attar production, known as degh-bhapka, has barely changed since its origin. The perfumers in this artisanal technique heat copper stills with wood and cow dung. The degh, the still's name, is filled with flower petals (rose, tuberose, jasmine, etc.), spices, or wood shavings before being submerged in water.
Once the vat is closed, the craftsmen coat it with cotton and clay on the edges. This mixture creates a kind of seal, which will harden and become airtight. The water is then brought to the boil. Thanks to a bamboo rod, the odor-laden steam is deposited in another copper tank, called a bhapka.
To achieve the desired concentration, this procedure may take up to 10 hours and is frequently repeated over the course of many days. To remove all the dampness, the attar is then placed in camel leather bottles for a few days. The precise recipe for each attar is maintained a secret and is passed down from generation to generation in order to preserve the surprise.