What is an Oud / Oudh Oil?
Oud oil is derived from an Agarwood tree that grows abundantly
in Laos, but is found all over Southeast Asia. The highest
quality Agarwood trees can be found in the former countries of
Indochina, such as: Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Agarwood/ Oud
oil are products of infected species of trees, commonly being
sought from Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees. These trees form
resins that can then produce some of the highest quality oud
oils. Of the 11 species of Aquilaria trees, found in Laos, it is
thought that 4-6 of them can produce the highly acclaimed Oudh
oil resin. The best oud oil results from an entire tree being
infected with high quality, dense resin and oil. The results are
achieved by allowing plenty of time for infection to take place,
and preferably in the forest or other non-contrived settings.
This infection, in the past, was believed to be caused insect
infestation. Eventually, this infection will cause the tree to
die, and Agarwood resin can then be chipped away, in various
grades of quality, and sold. The lesser quality Agarwood has a
whitish color and contains less resin. They are graded, chopped,
shredded, soaked, distilled, dried, and rolled into incense
sticks. The uninfected Agarwood has no scented value. Oud oil
has an eccentric, as well as, acquired fragrance. It is regarded
as a very sophisticated and highly prized Oudh fragrance in the
Arab world.
Written by: Ishaaq Abdulwaahid
Fragrance and Things, Inc.
http://www.fragranceandthings.com
ialwaahid@fragranceandthings.com
Source used for article: Enfleurage.com